Seeing Clearly with Diabetes: What to Expect at a Retina Exam
If you’re living with diabetes, you probably already know how important it is to protect your vision. Conditions like diabetic retinopathy can develop silently and lead to permanent vision loss if not caught early. That’s why retina exams beyond standard eye check-ups are such a vital part of diabetes care.
These specialized exams use advanced imaging to detect early signs of eye disease, often before symptoms appear. This November, in honor of National Diabetes Awareness Month, it’s a good time to check in on your eye health and schedule a visit with a retina specialist.
Why Retina Exams Matter
While routine eye exams are important, they often focus on vision correction and surface-level eye health. Retinal disease, especially in people with diabetes, often begins without any noticeable symptoms. A retina exam gives your specialist a detailed look at the back of your eye, where early damage often starts.
During a general eye exam, an ophthalmologist assesses overall vision, identifies refractive errors like nearsightedness and farsightedness, and checks for common eye conditions. In contrast, a retina exam is performed by a specialist who uses advanced imaging techniques to create detailed images of the retina. While both types of exams are essential for maintaining eye health, retina exams are necessary for detecting and monitoring more complex conditions like diabetic retinopathy.
What Happens During a Diabetic Retina Exam?
A diabetic retina exam involves using eye drops to dilate the pupils, allowing the retina specialist to identify any signs of diabetic eye disease, such as abnormal blood vessel growth, swelling or bleeding, and damage to the optic nerve. They'll also assess visual acuity, check intraocular pressure, and use special lighting and magnifying tools to look for bleeding, swelling, or new blood vessels.
Other tests include optical coherence tomography (OCT), a safe and non-invasive imaging technique that uses scattered infrared light to quickly scan the eye and produce high-resolution images of retinal structures, and fluorescein angiography, in which a retina specialist uses a special dye and camera to examine blood flow in the retina.
The Importance of Regular Retina Exams
Many retinal conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, often don't show noticeable symptoms in their early stages. By the time symptoms do appear, vision may already be compromised. The earlier diabetic retinopathy is detected and treated, the better your vision outcomes will be. Retina exams are quick, painless, and usually covered by insurance, making them easy to incorporate into your healthcare routine.
Schedule an Appointment With a Retina Specialist This Diabetes Awareness Month
This National Diabetes Awareness Month, take proactive steps to safeguard your vision for years to come. At Southeastern Retina Associates, we can effectively diagnose and treat diabetic retinopathy and other retinal conditions. If you have diabetes, speak with your regular eye doctor, and they may refer you to one of our offices. We see patients in Chattanooga, Knoxville, the Tri-Cities, and more.