Diabetes affects almost every organ in your body, including your eyes. Leroy W. Robinson, III, OD, Ealeen H. Kim, OD, William C. Ackerman Jr., MD, and the highly skilled team at Advanced Eye Center in Gainesville, Georgia, provide diabetic eye exams for people with diabetes. This exam checks vision and eye health and looks for eye conditions common in people with diabetes. Annual diabetic eye exams at Advanced Eye Center may prevent serious vision changes. Call or schedule your diabetic eye exam online today.
request an appointmentWhat are diabetic eye exams?
Diabetic eye exams are specialized eye exams for people with diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects your body’s ability to use glucose, the main source of energy for all the cells in your body.
People with diabetes have higher than normal blood glucose levels. Too much glucose in your blood damages blood vessels and organs. Because the blood vessels in your eyes are so small, they’re more susceptible to damage.
Diabetes affects people of all ages and backgrounds, but you’re at greater risk of developing diabetes (and at a younger age) if you’re Hispanic or Latino.
Advanced Eye Center is a full-service ophthalmology and cataract surgery practice and has been providing evidence-based and patient-centered eye care in northeast Georgia for more than 30 years.
The team takes great pride in taking care of the people who live in the community it serves and offers comprehensive diabetic eye exams using modern diagnostic tools and technology.
Why do I need diabetic eye exams?
You need diabetic eye exams because diabetes puts you at risk of developing eye conditions that affect vision. Some of these conditions include:
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition in which the blood vessels in the eyes swell, leak, or close, leading to the growth of abnormal blood vessels on the retina.
Diabetic macular edema
Diabetic macular edema is the buildup of fluid under the retina, causing vision changes that may become permanent without proper care.
Cataracts
People with diabetes are at greater risk of developing cataracts (clouding of the lens), especially if their blood glucose is excessively high.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma refers to a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve, causing permanent vision changes. Having diabetes puts you at greater risk of developing this eye condition.
Finding eye problems during the early stages may prevent any permanent vision changes that these conditions cause.
What happens during diabetic eye exams?
Your provider at Advanced Eye Center conducts a thorough evaluation when you come in for your diabetic eye exam. The goal of the exam is to find eye problems early, before they cause permanent damage.
During your eye exam, your provider checks your vision and examines your eyes. They also conduct tests to check for blood vessel leakage and glaucoma.
After your exam, your provider talks to you about their findings and makes recommendations. If you have an eye condition, they may recommend treatment. Advanced Eye Center treats diabetic retinopathy and cataracts at their eye surgery center.
Has it been more than a year since your last diabetic eye exam? Call Advanced Eye Center or schedule your evaluation online today.