Diabetic Eye Exam

Diabetic Eye Exam, New York, NY 

People with diabetes are at an increased risk for serious eye diseases and require special care to protect their vision and eye health. Regular diabetic eye exams are crucial in preserving your vision and preventing potential complications. Our eye doctors provide eye exams to spot early warning signs of diseases and eye issues that can cause serious damage if left unchecked. 

Importance of regular diabetic eye exams 

For individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, regular eye exams are vital in detecting and managing diabetic eye disease. Diabetes can affect the blood vessels in your eyes, leading to conditions that may threaten your vision. Early detection and timely intervention through regular diabetic eye exams can significantly reduce the risk of vision loss and promote better eye health.  

What is diabetic eye disease?     

Diabetic eye disease occurs when blood sugar is too high and causes blood vessel problems. High blood sugar can damage blood vessels in the back of the eye, causing them to leak fluid and lead to swelling. New abnormal blood vessels can also form, leading to scarring or dangerously high eye pressure.  

Diabetic eye disease refers to several conditions that can impact people with diabetes. These diseases can lead to blurred vision and blindness and often have no symptoms in the early stages. These conditions include: 

• Diabetic retinopathy: Damage to the blood vessels in the retina, which can lead to vision loss or blindness. 
• Cataracts: Clouding of the eye’s natural lens, resulting in blurry vision and glare sensitivity. While anyone can develop cataracts, people with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts, and at a younger age.  
• Diabetic macular edema: A complication of diabetic retinopathy that causes swelling in the macula, the central part of the retina, which can cause vision distortion. 
• Glaucoma: a group of eye conditions that can cause damage to the optic nerve, leading to progressive vision loss. Diabetics are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma compared to non-diabetics.

Preventing diabetic eye disease     

If you have diabetes, it’s crucial to discuss blood sugar management with your primary care doctor. By keeping your blood sugar under control, you can prevent severe vision loss caused by damage to the blood vessels in the retina.  

If you’re experiencing diabetic eye disease or are at risk, don’t worry! Our team of eye care experts is here to help you prevent vision loss. Schedule an appointment at Dr. Gary Tracy Optometry & Eyewear on the Upper West Side for an eye exam today.