Diabetic Eye Exams in Huntersville
Diabetes and Your Eyes
Did you know that over 34 million Americans are living with diabetes, and many don’t realize how this condition can affect their vision? Diabetes is not just about managing blood sugar—it’s about managing your overall health, including your eyes.
Diabetic eye disease is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults, yet early detection and treatment can prevent up to 90% of diabetes-related vision loss. That’s why at Lakeside Eye Associates, we offer diabetic eye exams to help you stay ahead of potential complications.
How Lakeside Eye Associates Can Help
Living with diabetes requires a personalized and comprehensive approach. Our diabetic eye exams are thorough, advanced, and designed to catch any signs of diabetes-related eye conditions early. Using state-of-the-art technology like Optomap retinal imaging and OCT scanning, we ensure that we examine every detail.
What sets us apart is not just our technology but our personalized care. We collaborate with your healthcare providers to offer a holistic approach to managing your diabetes. By working together, we help ensure your treatment plan aligns with your overall health strategy.
Why Are Diabetic Eye Exams Important?
If you have diabetes, you’re at an increased risk for various eye conditions that can lead to vision loss if not caught early. A diabetic eye exam differs from a routine eye exam because it focuses on the specific changes in your eyes caused by diabetes.
How often should you have a diabetic eye exam?
For most people with diabetes, annual eye exams are crucial to prevent complications. However, if you have more advanced diabetic eye disease, you may need exams more frequently. Maintaining regular appointments is essential to protect your vision and overall health.
Eye Conditions Linked to Diabetes
Diabetes affects your body’s ability to process sugar, and over time, this can damage the blood vessels in your retina—the part of your eye that senses light. That's why diabetes is often associated with eye conditions like diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, and glaucoma. The good news is that early detection through diabetic eye exams can prevent or minimize the damage. Here are some of the most common conditions:
Diabetic Retinopathy
The most common diabetic eye disease, diabetic retinopathy, occurs when high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels in your retina. This condition can lead to blurred vision, floaters, or even complete vision loss if left untreated.
Diabetic Macular Edema
A complication of diabetic retinopathy, DME causes swelling in the macula, the part of your retina responsible for sharp central vision. This swelling can severely impact your ability to see clearly and perform tasks like reading or driving.
Glaucoma
People with diabetes are more likely to develop glaucoma, which results from increased pressure in the eye. If untreated, glaucoma can damage the optic nerve and lead to irreversible vision loss.
Cataracts
Diabetes can cause the lens of your eye to become cloudy, leading to cataracts. While cataracts are common as we age, people with diabetes are at higher risk and tend to develop them earlier.