Diabetic Eye Exams | Modesto | Valley Optometric Group

Diabetes Affects Sight

Diabetes can have significant effects on eye health and vision. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends eye exams at least once a year for people with diabetes. Regular diabetic exams help prevent vision loss.

Book an appointment with Valley Optometric Group today for a diabetic eye exam.

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What Is a Diabetic
Eye Exam?

All comprehensive eye exams check eye health and vision. Diabetic eye exams are tailored for eye conditions and vision problems with known links to diabetes. Our eyes are unique, which sometimes means some irregularities can happen.

Diabetic eye exams help us get to know you and your eye care needs so we can develop a customized treatment plan.

How Diabetes Affects Eye Health

Diabetes is a leading cause of vision loss in adults. Many patients don’t notice vision changes as diabetic eye complications, which can develop slowly. Diabetic eye exams help us diagnose eye problems early, so we can work to prevent worsening health and determine effective treatments.

People living with diabetes have an increased risk for several eye problems, including diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema (DME), glaucoma, and cataracts.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetes-related eye problem which can cause other conditions to develop, including diabetic macular edema (DME), cataracts, and open-angle glaucoma. The condition affects blood vessels in the retina, where the eye converts light into images.

There are often few symptoms in the early stages of diabetic eye disease. As diabetic retinopathy develops, symptoms include:

Blurry vision
Floaters
Retinal detachment
Vision loss

Learn more about eye disease diagnosis & management.

Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic macular edema (DME) affects the macula. When excess fluid builds in the macular area, it impacts our ability to see fine details and central vision.

Symptoms include:

Blurry vision
Double vision
Poor color vision
Floaters
Eye damage
Vision loss

Learn more about eye disease diagnosis & management.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye problems that damage the optic nerve, causing vision loss or blindness. During the earliest stages of glaucoma, the condition has no noticeable symptoms. As it progresses, some symptoms develop, beginning with peripheral (side) vision, slowly expanding to include central vision. Although treatment can’t reverse vision loss, it can prevent blindness.

Learn more about glaucoma and eye diseases.

Cataracts

Cataracts are cloudy spots that develop on the lens. The cloudy area changes how light enters the eye, causing vision problems.

Symptoms include:

Blurry vision
Poor color vision
Light sensitivity
Poor night vision

Learn more about cataracts and eye diseases.

Caring for Your Eyes

Eye health and vision are crucial indicators of our whole body health. By caring for our eyes, we can prevent vision loss and watch for developing health conditions. Diabetic eye exams can help us diagnose problems early, preventing eye complications.

Talk to our eye care team about your eye health. Book an appointment with Valley Optometric Group.