Diabetic Eye Exam Cape Coral
Diabetes can cause significant damage to the eyes. Consequently, the most important thing you can do is to schedule a diabetic eye exam at Elmquist Eye Group in Cape Coral or Fort Myers to protect your good vision.
Dr. E. Trevor Elmquist and his associates, Dr. Kate Wagner and Dr. Nina Burt, have been serving communities throughout Lee County and Southwest Florida for more than 20 years. We take pride in offering a unique blend of expert eye care and a passion for providing the best service to patients of all ages.
Dr. Elmquist is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Drs. Wagner and Burt are optometrists who are board certified by the State of Florida and the National Board of Optometry.
Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes-Related Eye Problems
There are usually no symptoms in the early stages of diabetic eye disease. If you experience any of the following symptoms, however, it’s important to schedule a comprehensive dilated eye exam at Elmquist Eye Group as soon as possible. They may signal changes related to diabetes or to diabetes-related conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment and diabetic retinopathy.
- Blurry and/or distorted vision
- Eye floaters and spots
- Development of a shadow in your field of view
- Double vision
- Eye pain or frequent headaches
- Near vision problems unrelated to presbyopia
- Shadows or loss of peripheral vision
- Cloudy vision that may signify cataracts
- Decreased night vision
- Glare or halos from bright lights
An annual diabetic eye exam can spot problems early and stop or slow their progression before irreversible damage is done to your vision.
Dr. Elmquist, Dr. Wagner or Dr. Burt will place eye drops in your eyes so that he/she can see the entire inside of your eye. The drops enlarge your pupils and cause them to open wider (dilate). This gives the doctor a better view of the lens, optic nerve, macula and retina, much like opening a door to see inside a room instead of looking through the keyhole.
The doctor will look for signs of any diabetic eye disease, such as damage to the retina and evidence of any bleeding or fluid leakage from blood vessels. Regular dilated eye exams can help you protect your sight and make sure that you are seeing your best.
After a dilated eye exam, most people experience few side effects other than blurry vision and a sensitivity to light for a few hours. You may not be able to do any close work (such as reading or sewing) for a few hours, and we recommend that you ask a friend or family member to drive you home after the exam. But any inconvenience is far outweighed by allowing the doctor to screen for any problems that might threaten your vision.
At Elmquist Eye Group’s eye care centers in Cape Coral and Fort Myers, we recommend a diabetic eye exam every year for optimum eye health. Don’t wait until you experience vision problems to make that all-important appointment. Schedule a dilated eye exam today with Elmquist Eye Group by calling (239) 936-2020.