Diabetic Eye Exams
Managing Eye Health Impacted by Diabetes
Diabetes affects millions of Canadians and is a growing public health concern. In 2024, approximately 4 million Canadians were living with diagnosed diabetes, with many more affected by undiagnosed diabetes or prediabetes. Despite its prevalence, a recent survey found that three in four Canadians are unaware that diabetes can cause vision loss—even though early detection can prevent up to 90% of vision loss from diabetic retinopathy.
Preventative care is essential for people with diabetes—routine eye exams can catch changes early, before vision is permanently affected. When diabetes is unmanaged, high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in the eyes, leading to serious conditions like diabetic retinopathy and even vision loss.
Because diabetes can affect the eyes before symptoms appear, regular diabetic eye exams are essential not only for vision correction, but also for maintaining overall health. Comprehensive eye exams allow your optometrist to monitor for early signs of diabetic eye disease, including retinopathy, macular edema, and other retinal complications, and track changes over time using advanced imaging technology.
At Annik Eye Care, we use retinal imaging and detailed retinal scans to detect subtle changes in eye health, supporting early diagnosis and ongoing monitoring. For individuals with diabetes, annual eye exams are crucial to prevent permanent vision loss, making proactive eye care a key component of diabetes management and long-term quality of life.
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Diabetic retinopathy is caused by the weakening or swelling of the delicate blood vessels of the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye and is responsible for receiving and transmitting visual signals to your brain.
When the blood vessels become ineffective, new, abnormal blood vessels grow, but these break easily, leaking fluid and blood into the retina. As a result, the retinal tissue becomes deprived of blood and oxygen, leading to parts of it dying.
If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness.
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Vision loss related to diabetic retinopathy is not recoverable, so early detection is crucial to preventing blindness. Additionally, the earlier diabetic retinopathy is treated, the higher the chance treatment will be successful.
Diabetic retinopathy is monitored through routine eye exams in its early stages. If it advances, there are ways to manage it.
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Your best strategy for preventing diabetic retinopathy is the proper maintenance and monitoring of your diabetes. Visit your physician for regular appointments and follow all instructions on diet and nutrition, and other recommendations for controlling diabetes.
It’s essential to undergo regular eye exams to monitor the health of your eyes. Please book your appointment today for a diabetic eye exam, so we can diagnose and manage conditions and diseases related to diabetes.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetes can cause changes in your vision, including frequent prescription changes, cataracts, or glaucoma. It can also lead to diabetic retinopathy, a serious eye disease that may result in vision loss if left undetected.
Regular diabetic eye exams are essential for early detection, prevention, and management, helping protect your long-term vision and eye health.
