Diabetic Eye Exams

What Is A Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exam?

You may think your eyes are healthy, but visiting an eye care professional for a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the only way to really be sure. During the exam, each eye is closely inspected for signs of common vision problems and eye diseases, many of which have no early warning signs. Annual comprehensive dilated eye exams are generally recommended starting at age 60. However, African Americans are advised to start having comprehensive dilated eye exams starting at age 40 because of their higher risk of glaucoma. It’s also especially important for people with diabetes to have a comprehensive dilated exam at least once a year. Key elements of a comprehensive dilated eye examination include dilation, tonometry, visual field test and a visual acuity test. Dilation is an important part of a comprehensive eye exam because it enables your eye care professional to view the inside of the eye. Drops placed in each eye widen the pupil, which is the opening in the center of the iris (the colored part of the eye). Dilating the pupil allows more light to enter the eye the same way opening a door allows light into a dark room. Once dilated, each eye is examined using a special magnifying lens that provides a clear view of important tissues at the back of the eye, including the retina, the macula, and the optic nerve. This video describes what a doctor sees when examining the retina, optic nerve and macula after the pupils are dilated. In a person with diabetic retinopathy, the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in the United States, the exam may show swelling or leaking of blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive layers of tissue at the back of the eye. The eye care professional may also see abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina Continue reading >>

What To Expect At Your Eye Exam

If you are lucky enough to have good eyesight, you may be surprised when your diabetes care team recommends that you make an appointment with an eye doctor. If your vision is stable, and your eyes don’t bother you, why should you have your eyes checked? The answer is that many potentially devastating eye problems develop without causing discomfort or distorting vision. Glaucoma and cataract are examples of eye problems that occur commonly in older adults and more frequently in people with diabetes. Generally, these conditions are treatable, but if not caught early enough, they can lead to vision loss or even blindness. In addition, there’s diabetic retinopathy, a serious complication that is more likely to occur in people with Type 1 diabetes but may develop in anyone with diabetes. Tight blood glucose control can significantly reduce the incidence and severity of diabetic retinopathy, but the only way to identify this and other eye problems in their earliest and most treatable stages is to have regular, comprehensive eye examinations. -- Keep an eye on your vision! Learn about preventive steps and treatments for diabetic retinopathy from retinal specialist Dr. Charles Wykoff. >> There’s no reason to avoid an eye exam; it involves a series of painless tests that check your visual acuity and general eye health and screen for signs of disease. Before we discuss what to expect at the exam, let’s take a look at the eye and how it works. The eye The eye is a hollow organ about the size of a Ping-Pong ball, with an opening at the front that lets in light, and a gelatinous substance called vitreous filling most of the inside. It functions in a manner similar to a camera. The aperture through which light enters the eye is the pupil, the black-seeming hole in the middle Continue reading >>

Diabetic Eye Exams - Granby Family Eye | Granby Family Eye

Please call to schedule your appointment today! Here at Granby Family Eye Care, we are dedicated to caring for your eyes when you have diabetes. Diabetes can affect more than just your blood sugar. It can also do some damage to your eyes if you are not careful. Diabetic eye disease can cause vision loss if you are not careful. It can cause you to have trouble with everyday tasks even if you have regular glasses or contacts. It can even cause blindness. If you have diabetes, you really need to monitor your vision. If you have blurry vision; see spots, flashing lights, or dark spots; or have trouble seeing out of the corner of your eye, you need to get help as soon as possible. You also need to be seen if you have any kind of pain or pressure in your eyes. People with diabetes often have more eye problems than those who are not affected by the disease. They can also get some diseases at a much younger age. Many diabetics have cataracts or cloudy eyes. They can also be affected by glaucoma, which is increased eye pressure that can damage the optic nerve and cause you to go blind. They may also have nerve damage in the eyes. We are dedicated to caring for your eyes when you have diabetes. If you having any problems with your vision or pain in your eyes, we will be glad to see you as soon as possible so that we can prevent blindness. If you have diabetes or are having diabetes eye problems, dont hesitate to contact us today at (860) 653-7440. Proudly serving the residents of Granby and surrounding towns, for over 10 years. Continue reading >>

7 Health Problems Eye Exams Can Detect

Did you know that an eye exam can be as effective as a physical in determining your health? Unfortunately, many Americans put off going to the eye doctor if they feel like their vision has not changed. Comprehensive eye exams are important for many reasons. Your eyesight may change very gradually over time, and you may not even know that you need a stronger prescription. Your eye doctor will also perform several tests during the eye examination that will rule out eye disorders such as glaucoma, cataracts or retinal problems. Along with eye-related concerns, eye doctors may even be able to detect other health issues during a comprehensive eye exam. In fact, you may even find yourself leaving the eye doctor with a referral to another specialist because of a specific test that your ophthalmologist performed during your comprehensive eye exam. Here are just a few health issues that may be discovered during an eye exam: Diabetes— Diabetes affects the small capillaries in the retina of the eyes. These blood vessels may leak blood or a yellowish fluid, and this may be discovered in an eye exam. If your eye doctor notices this condition, you may have a condition called diabetic retinopathy. Hypertension— Blood vessels in the eye may exhibit bends, kinks or tears, and this may be an indication of high blood pressure. Autoimmune disorders— If the eye is inflamed, this may be a sign of Lupus or another autoimmune disorder. High cholesterol— The cornea may have a yellowish appearance or a yellow ring around it which can be a sign of high cholesterol. There also may be plaques in the blood vessels of the retina which could indicate elevated cholesterol. Thyroid disease— One of the telltale signs of thyroid disease are bulging eyes or protruding eyeballs. This condition is Continue reading >>

Diabetic Eye Exams - Fishers & Indianapolis - Barrett Eye Care

According to the International Diabetes Foundation, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of vision loss in adults of working age (20 to 65 years) in industrialized countries. It is estimated that more than 2.5 million people worldwide are affected by it. 74 percent of people who have diabetes for 10 years or more will develop some form of diabetic retinopathy. Yearly diabetic eye exams are crucial for the early detection and treatment of diabetic eye disease. At Barrett Eye Care, we have performed thousands of diabetic eye exams which have led to early detection and treatment of many patients across central Indiana. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends yearly dilated eye exams for all patients diagnosed with diabetes. If diabetic retinopathy is present, more frequent eye exams may be necessary. All of our diabetic eye exams include pupillary dilation to help better view the retina and detect any subtle, early changes from diabetes. Following your diabetic eye exam, our doctors will communicate the results of the diabetic eye exam with your primary care physician. We will then work together to optimize your treatments and preserve your vision. Diabetic eye exams are covered by most major medical insurance plans. If you have diabetes, call today to schedule your comprehensive diabetic eye exam. Continue reading >>

Sixty Percent Of Americans With Diabetes Skip Annual Sight-saving Exams

American Academy of Ophthalmology reiterates the importance of dilated eye exams in preventing vision loss CHICAGO – People with diabetes are at increased risk of developing serious eye diseases, yet most do not have sight-saving, annual eye exams, according to a large study presented this week at AAO 2016, the 120th annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. This is especially timely as the Academy is reiterating the importance of eye exams during the month of November, which is observed as Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month. Researchers at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia have found that more than half of patients with the disease skip these exams. They also discovered that patients who smoke – and those with less severe diabetes and no eye problems – were most likely to neglect having these checks. The researchers collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to review the charts of close to 2,000 patients age 40 or older with type 1 and type 2 diabetes to see how many had regular eye exams. Their findings over a four-year period revealed that: Fifty-eight percent of patients did not have regular follow-up eye exams Smokers were 20 percent less likely to have exams Those with less-severe disease and no eye problems were least likely to follow recommendations Those who had diabetic retinopathy were 30 percent more likely to have follow-up exams One in 10 Americans have diabetes, putting them at heightened risk for visual impairment due to the eye disease diabetic retinopathy. The disease also can lead to other blinding ocular complications if not treated in time. Fortunately, having a dilated eye exam yearly or more often can prevent 95 percent of diabetes-related vision loss. Eye exams are critical as they can reveal hidden Continue reading >>

Diabetic Retinopathy

What is diabetic retinopathy? Diabetic retinopathy is a very common eye disease associated with diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy is considered a leading cause of blindness in American adults. The sad thing about diabetic retinopathy leading the blindness charge is that in a majority of cases, blindness could have been completely preventable If you are diabetic you will need to work closely with the Carter Eye Center diabetic retina eye doctors to monitor and treat this disease. The use of medications and daily blood sugar monitoring can make a major impact on containing the worsening of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic Retinopathy Symptoms - Treating Dallas Diabetic Retinopathy If you are a diabetic patient it is suggested by the RRC that you have regular eye exams to look for symptoms. Diabetic retinopathy does not really have any initial warning signs. Retinal swelling may cause blurred vision and distortion. Objects may look smaller or larger than normal. Floaters may appear due to the bleeding of the blood vessels. Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease caused by complications of diabetes. After 10 or 15 years most diabetic people have signs of mild damage to the back of the eye that we call retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is a common cause of vision loss but that vision loss can be minimized by early diagnosis and carefully designed treatments. Diabetes causes damage to the blood vessels that nourish the retina, the seeing part at the back of the eye. Damage to the retina caused when blood vessels: Expand and begin to leak Develop brush-like branches Break and cause bleeding Once the leaking blood damages or scars the retina, the image sent to the brain becomes blurry. Successful Treatment Dr. Carter can do several things to repair the ongoing damage, such as: Focus Continue reading >>

Diabetes Eye Exams

Diabetes can harm your eyes. It can damage the small blood vessels in your retina, or the back of your eye. This condition is called diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes also increases your risk of glaucoma and other eye problems. You may not know your eyes are harmed until the problem is very bad. Your doctor can catch problems early if you get regular eye exams. This is very important. The early stages of diabetic retinopathy don't cause changes in vision and you won't have symptoms. Only an eye exam can detect the problem, so that steps can be taken to prevent the retinopathy from getting worse. Even if the doctor who takes care of your diabetes checks your eyes, you need an eye exam every 1 to 2 years by an eye doctor who takes care of people with diabetes. An eye doctor has equipment that can check the back of your eye much better than your regular doctor can. If you have eye problems because of diabetes, you will probably see your eye doctor more often. You may need special treatment to prevent your eye problems from getting worse. You may see two different types of eye doctors: An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who is an eye specialist trained to diagnose and treat eye problems. An optometrist is a health care provider trained to diagnose and treat problems with your vision. Many can do screening exams for damage from diabetes. Once you have eye disease caused by diabetes, you need to see an ophthalmologist. The doctor will check your vision using a chart of random letters of different sizes. This is called the Snellen chart. You will then be given eye drops to widen (dilate) the pupils of your eyes so that the doctor can better see the back of the eye. You may feel stinging when the drops are first placed. You may have a metallic taste in your mouth. To see the b Continue reading >>

Annual Eye Exams Can Detect Diabetic Eye Disease

Having an eye exam each year is important for people with diabetes. Diabetes that is not well managed can lead to diabetic retinopathy and other eye-related problems. An annual eye exam can help detect diabetic eye diseases so they can be treated early. A description of diabetes Diabetes causes people to have too much sugar in their blood. This happens when people aren’t producing insulin in their bodies (Type 1) or when the body is resistant to insulin (Type 2). Insulin is a hormone that helps reduce sugar (also called glucose) in the blood stream. Too much glucose can lead to serious health issues, affecting the heart, kidneys and eyes. Diabetic eye diseases Diabetic retinopathy is a serious concern for people with diabetes and the number-one cause of vision loss. If a person’s blood sugar level is not in control and remains chronically high, blood vessels in the eye can be damaged and impair vision, potentially resulting in blindness. Another concern is diabetic macular edema, which can occur when high blood sugar causes fluid to seep into the retina. Get annual eye exams Doctors recommend that adults with diabetes get an annual dilated eye exam to check for micro-vascular issues that affect people with diabetes. The eye doctor checks the retina (back of the eye) for signs of retinopathy, as well as the macula (center of the retina) for diabetic macular edema. At an annual eye exam, the eye doctor will: Dilate your eyes to look at the retinas See if you need corrective lenses Check your eye pressure for signs of glaucoma Identify other concerns unrelated to diabetes, such as cataracts and dry eye Manage your diabetes To stay healthy, it is important to: Test your blood sugar regularly Take the medicines prescribed by your doctor to help manage your blood sugar Ea Continue reading >>

Diabetic Retinopathy

Topic Overview Retinopathy is a disease of the retina. The retina is the nerve layer that lines the back of your eye. It is the part of your eye that "takes pictures" and sends the images to your brain. Many people with diabetes get retinopathy. This kind of retinopathy is called diabetic retinopathy (retinal disease caused by diabetes). Diabetic retinopathy can lead to poor vision and even blindness. Most of the time, it gets worse over many years. At first, the blood vessels in the eye get weak. This can lead to blood and other liquid leaking into the retina from the blood vessels. This is called nonproliferative retinopathy. And this is the most common retinopathy. If the fluid leaks into the center of your eye, you may have blurry vision. Most people with nonproliferative retinopathy have no symptoms. If blood sugar levels stay high, diabetic retinopathy will keep getting worse. New blood vessels grow on the retina. This may sound good, but these new blood vessels are weak. They can break open very easily, even while you are sleeping. If they break open, blood can leak into the middle part of your eye in front of the retina and change your vision. This bleeding can also cause scar tissue to form, which can pull on the retina and cause the retina to move away from the wall of the eye (retinal detachment). This is called proliferative retinopathy. Sometimes people don't have symptoms until it is too late to treat them. This is why having eye exams regularly is so important. Retinopathy can also cause swelling of the macula of the eye. This is called macular edema. The macula is the middle of the retina, which lets you see details. When it swells, it can make your vision much worse. It can even cause legal blindness. If you are not able to keep your blood sugar levels Continue reading >>

Diabetic Eye Exam | Sandy Springs Optometrist

If you have diabetes, regular eye exams are essential to the well-being of your vision. It may be tempting to skip visits if your eyes are not bothering you, but this is generally a mistake. Many conditions that are more common in diabetics can be treated in the early stages but can lead to blindness if they are not caught soon enough. Conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy are all more common in people with diabetes. They are all progressive conditions, and early detection can allow your doctor to offer more types of treatments. Well-controlled blood sugar reduces but does not eliminate the increased risk that diabetics have for these conditions. What to Expect at Your Next Optometry Visit If you have just been diagnosed with diabetes, or if you have been putting off going to see the eye doctor, you may not know what to expect at a diabetic eye exam. Most exams will begin with a routine vision screening like any you might have had in the past. There are a few tests that are typically used on people at increased risk for certain conditions, however. Cataracts are usually visible during the routine screening. Drops that widen the pupil of the eye may be used to allow the doctor to see inside the eye more easily. This procedure is routine because it checks for other visual conditions as well as cataracts. A special lamp and an ophthalmoscope are the most commonly used tools for looking into the eye. Both appear as just a bright light to the patient. Glaucoma is tested for by measuring the pressure in the eye. This is either done by applying a drop of anesthetic and then lightly touching the eye with a device called a tonometer, or by using a machine that blows a puff of air into your eye. This may make you jump, but it doesn't hurt. If your eye Continue reading >>

Diabetic Eye Exam | Wake Family Eye Care | Optometry | Cary, Nc

Diabetic Eye Exams Are Different From a Standard Eye Exam Since diabetes puts you at risk of diabetic eye disease, a diabetic eye exam involves a more thorough testing process. Well dilate your pupils, allowing us to get a better look at the inner workings of your eyes. In order to search for diabetic retinopathy, we closely inspect the health of your eyes blood vessels. We recognize that our patients needs vary greatly. Thats why weve made it a priority to invest in cutting edge technology that allows us to get all the information we need to thoroughly conduct a diabetic eye exam. Diabetic Retinopathy is the Leading Cause of Blindness in Diabetic Patients Although Diabetic Eye Disease is an umbrella term for a number of diseases resulting from diabetes, Diabetic Retinopathy is one of the most common and the most harmful. This particular disease develops when blood vessel walls in the retina are weakened due to prolonged exposure to glucose. Over time, this weakness progresses and can eventually cause leaks. In late stages, leakage causes dark spots in the sufferers vision. Not everyone with diabetes with develop diabetic retinopathy; there are a number of variables that influence how likely you are to get it. The type of diabetes you have and how long youve had it are contributing factors. Your chances of experiencing diabetic retinopathy also depend to some degree on how often your blood glucose changes, and how well youre managing your sugars. Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy Include: Continue reading >>

Abc’s Of Diabetic Eye Disease

Author: Dr. Jordan Graff Managing diabetes requires special attention to personal health and irregular symptoms. However, not all complications caused by diabetes are obvious. Diabetic eye disease leading to diabetic retinopathy, cataract and glaucoma can be sight-threatening if it is not identified and treated early. Regular eye care visits with an optometrist or ophthalmologist should be part of a diabetic’s management routine in addition to daily monitoring and a primary care visits. The following facts and reminders can prevent diabetic eye disease from developing: Asymptomatic: People that have diabetics can develop serious eye diseases through minor eye disorders that often show no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. As a result, diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and is the leading cause of blindness in American adults ages 20 to 74, according to the National Eye Institute. All people living with diabetes –type 1 and type 2 – are at risk of diabetic retinopathy. Those diagnosed with diabetes should not wait for the symptoms to appear, as there is no pain and vision may not change until the disease becomes severe. Book annual dilated eye exams: All patients that have diabetes should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year for early detection. Since there are no symptoms, an eye health specialist can recognize and diagnose the following through a dilated eye exam: Cataract – clouding of the lens of the eye. Diabetes can cause cataracts in patients at a much younger age. Typically cataracts affect those between the ages of 70 and 80; however those with diabetes can contract the disease as early as 35. Micro aneurysms – tiny dots of hemorrhaging in the back of the eye. Macular edema – occurs when the m Continue reading >>

Telemedicine Increases Diabetic Eye Exams

Telemedicine Increases Diabetic Eye Exams Early diagnosis through screening and treatment of diabetes-related eye disease is 90% effective in preventing blindness. More participants were screened for eye disease at local health clinics using telemedicine than when referred out to eye care providers. Oregon Health and Science University Prevention Research Center (PRC) is researching the effectiveness of using telemedicine to prevent blindness from diabetic retinopathy. The leading cause of blindness in working-age adults is eye disease related to poorly managed diabetes.1 Diabetic retinopathy is significant because an 83% increase in diabetes is expected 24 million in 2009 to 44 million by 2034.1 Minority populations including American Indian/Alaska Natives are two times more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites.1 There is a 78% chance that people with poorly managed diabetes for more than 15 years will develop eye disease. Early diagnosis through screening and treatment of diabetes-related eye disease are 90% effective in preventing blindness.1 In many communities, it can be challenging to obtain eye exams from eye care providers due to: Financial burdens such as co-pays or other associated cost of the exam Does screening for diabetic eye disease using telemedicine at community health clinics increase the number of people getting eye exams? Telemedicine is the use of electronic information and telecommunications to support and promote long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health care, and health administration.2 During their visits to community health clinics, over 500 diabetic patient participants were assigned to either a telemedicine screening group or were referred out to a traditional eye care pr Continue reading >>

Diabetic Eye Exam

Annual Dilated Eye Exam for People with Diabetes Make sure you get a dilated eye exam every year. This medical test is in addition to your vision benefit. CDPHP covers dilated eye exams yearly and asordered by your doctor for people with diabetes. Get the Facts! Read Diabetic Eye Care: Fact or Fiction? People with Type I or Type II diabetes are more at risk for vision changes and diabetic retinopathy , a leading cause of vision loss and blindness. Early detection, even before symptoms develop, improves your chance of controlling eye disease or blindness. Make sure you get a full dilated eye exam at least once a year, even if your blood sugar is under control and in normal range. This test is covered under your medical benefit and is in addition to your vision benefit. Your eye doctor will use special eye drops to enlarge your pupils, allowing him or her to see the back of your eyes. These drops and the eye exam are painless, but your vision will be blurred and your eyes will be sensitive to bright light for a few hours after the exam. You may need someone to drive you home. Do I have diabetic retinopathy? If so, what stage? Is there anything I can do to lower my risk of developing retinopathy or slow its progress? Do my blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol numbers meet the levels recommended to lower my risk for eye disease? When should I return for another eye exam? Keep Your Medical History and Health Care Team Up to Date After your eye exam, complete the Eye Care Tracking Form and either give it to your primary care physician or have your eye doctor fax it to your physician's office. Get the latest health news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter! Continue reading >>