Special Care for Our High-Risk Patients

We know the strain that diabetes puts on your visual well-being. That’s why we offer diabetic eye exams with an emphasis on ocular health. Our primary objective is identifying eye diseases associated with diabetes and managing their onset as early as possible.

Diabetic eye exams are similar to standard exams but with more emphasis on examining the retina. All of our eye doctors at Simcoe Optometric Clinic are highly trained in diabetic eye care. We take the time to know for sure how diabetes is affecting your vision.

How Often Do You Need a Diabetic Eye Exam?

Regardless of your age or other health conditions, you should visit your optometrist regularly if you have diabetes. Diabetic eye disease is detectable to your optometrist before any symptoms are present, so even if you are not having any trouble with your eyes, routine eye care is very important. Your optometrist will let you know how often is best for you, but anywhere from every 6 months to every 24 months may be recommended. This is the best way to maintain ocular health despite the disease.

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Why Diabetes is Dangerous

All of us are at risk of eye diseases, but people with diabetes are especially vulnerable. Blood vessels connected to the retina are quite fragile and considered high-risk areas for diabetic patients.

In fact, diabetes is connected to vision loss in Canada more than any other disease. There are many eye diseases related to diabetes, but two conditions stand out.

Diabetic Retinopathy

This is the most common form of diabetic eye disease. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when increased blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels connected to the retina. The blood vessels can leak into the eye, causing scar tissue to develop, and eventually leading to blindness.

The symptoms of diabetic retinopathy appear very slowly after the disease has already progressed to a dangerous level. Annual eye exams are very important in preventing this devastating illness. Symptoms evident at an advanced stage are:

Sudden changes in vision
Blurred vision
Eye floaters and spots
Double vision
Eye pain

Diabetic Macular Edema

This is also related to damaged blood vessels in the eye. Diabetic macular edema (DME) results from a swollen retina from “leaking” blood vessels. This swelling puts unwanted pressure on the macula, a part of the eye responsible for central vision. Large dark spots form in the middle of your vision, making day-to-day life extremely difficult.

Detailed Diabetic Discovery

Simcoe Optometric employs modern detection technologies when we examine the eyes of diabetic patients. Because symptoms of eye disease can often go unnoticed, diagnostic tools become incredibly important.

Digital Retinal Imaging

Digital cameras are used to capture high-definition magnified images of the retina. These images allow our eye doctors to identify signs of diabetic retinopathy. These images show the onset of other eye diseases, but special attention is given to diabetic retinopathy.

OCT

Using optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans, our optometrists can capture cross-sectional images of the deeper layers of the retina, giving you the most thorough assessment of your eye health. This allows for earlier detection of diabetic eye disease, particularly asymptomatic changes. This non-invasive technology is similar to an ultrasound, but OCTs use light to capture highly detailed images instead of sound.

Pupil Dilation

Special eye drops can be used to dilate the pupils and give optometrists a better view of your eye. Pupil dilation “opens the window” to your retina, providing a clearer picture of your ocular health. Dilation drops are an important component of your eye health assessment if you have diabetes. It’s a great idea to bring sunglasses to your diabetic eye exam to help manage bright lights after the dilation.

Other Diabetic Concerns

Unfortunately, diabetes increases the chances of experiencing many other eye diseases. People with diabetes are twice as likely to show signs of glaucoma. Diabetes is proven to cause an increase in cataracts. These conditions can be managed with proper optometric care, but it is all the more important to get tested regularly.

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Our Location

You can find our practice in the Malo Professional Building on Colborne Street North. We offer plenty of parking behind our building with accessibility-friendly options available.