Diabetic Eye Exams Near Me
If you have diabetes, you know that the disease can affect several aspects of your health. This includes your eye health. Many people with diabetes develop a condition called diabetic retinopathy, and diabetes definitely increases your risk for developing other eye conditions, including cataracts and glaucoma. Early prevention is key, so if you have been wondering, “Are there diabetic eye exams near me?”, there are. Elmquist Eye Group has been serving southwest Florida for over two decades, and we want you to come see us if you have diabetes.
Tell me more about diabetic retinopathy
Regardless of whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, diabetic retinopathy can develop in either case. The condition develops because the high blood sugar levels that are characteristic of diabetes damage blood vessels, particularly small vessels like those in the retina. The retina is made up of light-sensitive cells, and the vessels provide nutrients to those cells. When the vessels are damaged, the cells don’t properly function. As the damage gets worse, you may begin losing vision. Most patients notice blurry vision or less intense vision as diabetic retinopathy progresses.
Early detection
Early detection of diabetic retinopathy through an eye exam is the best way to monitor your eye health and to get prompt treatment if you do have the condition. A diabetic eye exam differs a bit from a regular eye exam.
The only way our eye care professionals can diagnose diabetic retinopathy is by performing a dilated eye exam. Our board-certified ophthalmologist will place drops in your eye to dilate (widen) the pupil which helps us more easily see inside your eye to inspect for any damage caused by the retinopathy.
After your eyes are dilated, the doctor may perform one or both of the following diagnostic eye tests to gather more information. The doctor may collect OCT or optical coherence tomography images of your eyes. This camera provides cross-sectional fine details and the doctors use OCT to look at the thickness of your retina. If damage from surrounding blood vessels is there, it likely will show up in these cross-sectional images.
The doctor may also use a fluorescein angiography test. The doctor will inject a dye into your arm and that dye will travel through your circulatory system. Once it reaches the blood vessels in the eye, it can help the doctor detect whether any of those vessels are blocked or leaking.
Trust the Elmquist Team
Unfortunately, the longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to develop this retinopathy. If you’ve just been diagnosed with diabetes, it is extremely important to have an eye exam soon because the retinopathy may have already begun. After all, if you wear contact lenses or glasses, you need an annual eye exam anyway. If you have diabetes, this exam takes on a new, important meaning.
Search online for “diabetic eye exams near me”, and you will find rave reviews for Elmquist Eye Group. Our team of eye care professionals has tremendous clinical knowledge in not only diabetic retinopathy, but also a wide variety of eye diseases and conditions. Look no further than Elmquist Eye Group and schedule your appointment today.