DIABETES AND EYE EXAMS
5/8/2009
Because diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, annual dilated eye exams are critical.
In this exam, the doctor looks behind your eye for signs of bleeding. Individuals with Type 1 diabetes should have their first eye exam 3-5 years after diagnosis and once the patient is 10 years old, annually.
Type 2 patients should have their first eye exam at diagnosis and annually afterwards.
For those women who become pregnant and have pre-existing diabetes, eye exams should occur before conception and during the first trimester. Follow-up should occur as indicated based on the results of the first trimester exam.
It is very possible that there could be bleeding occurring behind the diabetic patient’s eye with no change in vision be ing noticed. Therefore, it is especially important that the patient go for an annual eye exam. The exam can detect retinopathy which can be treated with laser treatments to stop the bleeding as well as prevent blindness. Having your family practice doctor look at your eyes is NOT enough. Nor is having your eyeglass prescription tested by an optician. Only optometrists and ophthalmologists can detect the signs of retinophathy. Only ophthalmologists can treat retinopathy.
The American Diabetes Association advises to see your eye care professional if you experience any of these symptoms:
1. Your vision becomes blurry
2. You have trouble reading signs or books
3. You see double
4. One or both of your eyes hurt
5. Your eyes get red and stay that way
6. You feel pressure in your eye
7. You see spots or floaters
8. Straight lines don’t look straight
9. You can’t see things at the side as you used to
When you have your annual eye examination, please be sure and remind your eye doctor to send your Genesis family practice physician a copy of the report.
For more information on diabetes, please visit www.diabetes.org
» back
