Diabetes and Your Eyes: Why an Eye Exam Matters Even When You See Perfectly
One of the most common questions from people with diabetes is, "My vision is fine. Do I really need an eye exam?"
Yes - because diabetes can begin affecting the small blood vessels inside your eyes before you notice a change in vision.
The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Diabetes can damage the tiny blood vessels that nourish it, causing diabetic retinopathy. Damaged vessels may leak fluid or blood, and more advanced disease can cause abnormal new blood vessels to develop.
Early diabetic retinal changes may cause little or no noticeable vision problem. You can read the smallest line on an eye chart and still have changes developing in your retina.
A diabetic eye examination may include vision and eye-pressure testing, dilation, and careful evaluation of the retina, macula, and optic nerve. Retinal photography or OCT may also be useful when indicated. Diabetes is also associated with cataracts and glaucoma, so looking at the entire eye matters.
The best time to identify diabetic eye disease is often before you notice it yourself. Make eye examinations part of regular diabetes care rather than waiting for blurry vision.
