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Can a Regular Eye Exam Detect Diabetes?

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A senior undergoing an eye exam.

Did you know that an eye exam can reveal more than whether or not you need new glasses? In fact, your eyes can offer many clues about your health, including the presence of diabetes.

With November being Diabetes Awareness Month, there’s no better time to shed light on the role that eye exams play in early detection. Optometrists can detect early changes in blood vessels and nerve tissue that indicate diabetes—sometimes even before other symptoms show up. All it takes is a routine eye exam

Advanced imaging tools, like OCT scans, provide a detailed look at the retina, helping spot subtle changes. For people with diabetes, eye exams are important for managing vision fluctuations and other eye health issues, like dry eye, that come with the condition.

Can an Eye Exam Detect Diabetes?

You might be wondering how an eye exam detects diabetes. The answer is simply that your eyes show early signs of the condition, sometimes even before you notice any other symptoms.

During an eye exam, your doctor looks at the blood vessels in your retina. Changes in these blood vessels, like swelling or leaking, can indicate diabetic retinopathy or diabetic macular edema, complications of diabetes. Catching these signs early helps in managing diabetes more effectively.

Getting regular eye exams means your eye doctor can keep tabs on any other changes, helping you stay ahead of potential issues.

Detectable Early Signs of Diabetes

Here are some early indicators to watch for:

  • Changes in your prescription for vision
  • Blurry vision due to high blood sugar levels
  • Tiny spots of bleeding or swelling in the retinal blood vessels (microaneurysms)

These signs can be early warnings of diabetic retinopathy, which, if untreated, may lead to more serious vision problems.

How Diabetic Vision Changes Affect Your Prescription

Diabetes can make your vision inconsistent. Fluctuating blood sugar levels can lead to changes in the lens of your eye, making your prescription feel off one day and okay the next. It can feel like your eyes can’t make up their mind—and it can be frustrating.

That’s where having the right tools comes into play. At MEye Health, we use an automated phoropter to measure your prescription accurately.

Plus, we understand that vision can fluctuate in people with diabetes, so we offer a 3-month warranty on lens changes purchased at MEye Health. This way, as your vision stabilizes, you can adjust your prescription without any hassle.

Why You Need Regular Eye Exams

For anyone living with diabetes, regular eye exams are non-negotiable. These checkups help keep an eye on any changes in your vision and can catch diabetic retinopathy early on.

And with November putting the spotlight on Diabetes Awareness, it’s a good reminder to prioritize your eye health.

Your eye doctor can work with you to manage any vision changes, helping to prevent complications down the road. With advancements in eye care technology, such as OCT imaging, detecting diabetes-related changes is more precise than ever.

How OCT Imaging Helps Detect Diabetes

A person getting an OCT scan allowing their eye doctor to look for signs of diabetic retinopathy

OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) imaging is like a high-tech camera for your eyes. It provides detailed cross-sectional images of the retina, allowing your eye doctor to see what’s going on beneath the surface.

This is especially helpful in spotting early signs of diabetic retinopathy. OCT scans are quick and non-invasive, giving your eye doctor a clear view of your retina’s layers.

By catching changes early, OCT imaging helps in managing diabetes more effectively and can prevent more severe issues from developing.

Dry Eye & Diabetes

Did you know that diabetes can mess with your tear production? Many people with diabetes experience dry eyes, which can be uncomfortable and irritating. During an eye exam, your doctor can assess your tear production issues and identify if diabetes might be playing a role.

Dry eye testing is a simple procedure that checks how well your eyes produce tears and how long they retain moisture. If you have dry eyes, your eye doctor can recommend treatments to keep them comfortable and healthy.

Treating Dry Eyes

Several effective treatments are available for dry eyes.

  • Blephex is a procedure that cleans the eyelid margins to remove debris and improve tear film quality.
  • Meibomian gland expression helps unclog blocked glands, enhancing oil production for better tear stability.
  • Eyelid hygiene helps prevent debris buildup and supports eye health.
  • Artificial tears to supplement natural moisture and relieve dryness.
  • Intense Pulse Light (IPL) helps by reducing inflammation and improving the function of the meibomian glands.  
  • Radiofrequency (RF) provides uniform bulk heating at an optimal temperature to help melt the oils and unplug the meibomian glands providing relief from dry eye.  

Ready for an Eye Exam?

Your eyes are important indicators of your health, and regular eye exams play an important role in managing diabetes. Early detection of issues like diabetic retinopathy or dry eye can help preserve your vision and overall well-being.

This Diabetes Awareness Month, book an eye exam at MEye Health to prioritize your eye health. For more information on managing diabetes and eye health, feel free to reach out to us.

Written by
Dr. Kalpna Varshney

More Articles By
Dr. Kalpna Varshney

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