{"id":7117,"date":"2020-07-22T19:48:15","date_gmt":"2020-07-22T19:48:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=7117"},"modified":"2025-09-02T10:02:20","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T10:02:20","slug":"what-is-a-diabetic-eye-exam","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/guide-to-diabetes-and-the-eyes\/what-is-a-diabetic-eye-exam\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Diabetic Eye Exam? Tests & What to Expect During Exam"},"content":{"rendered":"

What Is a Diabetic Eye Exam?<\/h2>\n

A diabetic eye exam is a comprehensive eye exam that focuses on detecting eye diseases caused by diabetes, such as diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. It typically includes pupil dilation, retinal imaging, and tests to check the health of the retina, blood vessels, and optic nerve. <\/p>\n

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, annual eye exams will help to protect your eyes from serious sight-threatening eye diseases.<\/b><\/h2>\n

Diabetes is a condition that prevents the body from using and storing sugar properly. As a result, excessive amounts of sugar remain in the bloodstream and if uncontrolled, can cause damage to the tiny blood vessels all over the body, including those in your eyes.<\/p>\n

Diabetic retinopathy affects 30 percent of people with diabetes.<\/b><\/p>\n

Diabetic retinopathy<\/a> occurs when the blood vessels inside the eye start to leak blood and fluid into the retina, causing damage and permanent vision loss. Early detection and treatment is crucial for preserving your eyesight.<\/p>\n

Diabetic macular edema<\/a> (DME) is a complication of diabetic retinopathy, and occurs when the macula, the center of the retina, begins to swell. The macula is responsible for your central and color vision. When the macula swells, it damages the blood vessels, causing them to leak\u2014 resulting in vision loss.<\/p>\n

While patients with uncontrolled blood sugar levels have a higher risk of diabetic retinopathy, those with controlled diabetes are still at risk.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

For this reason, eye doctors recommend annual eye exams for early detection of the disease, and increased optimal treatment results. By regularly monitoring your ocular health, you are ensuring that any changes that occur will be detected early, before they can cause any harm.<\/p>\n

How is a diabetic eye exam different from a regular eye exam?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Diabetic eye exams are similar to regular eye exams in many ways. However, during a diabetic eye exam, your eye doctor will specifically focus on the health of your retina and integrity of the blood vessels in your eye.<\/p>\n

1. Pupil dilation<\/b><\/h3>\n

Every diabetic eye exam requires pupil dilation for a clear view of your eyes’ inner structures\u2014 specifically, your retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels in the back of your eye.<\/p>\n

Your eye doctor will dilate your pupils by inserting special eye drops into your lower eyelids. The eye drops take about 30 minutes to work, and typically cause temporary blurred near vision and light sensitivity. These side effects generally subside within a few hours.<\/p>\n

In some cases, after a retinal exam, additional tests will be recommended for further examination, such as a fluorescein angiography or optical coherence tomography.<\/p>\n

2. Fluorescein angiography<\/b><\/h3>\n

This test enables detection of damaged blood vessels in your eye. A special dye will be injected into your arm, and will travel through your bloodstream to your eyes, highlighting any blood vessel damage. A special camera will then take pictures of damage found, for easy identification.<\/p>\n

If you have diabetes, contact an eye doctor<\/a> near you, who can diagnose and discuss the best treatment options.<\/strong><\/p>\n

SEE RELATED:<\/strong> Diabetes: Why You Shouldn\u2019t Skip Your Eye Exams<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t

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