Why Annual Eye Exams Are Essential for People with Diabetes

You probably check your blood sugar, eat good food, and play outside. Yet, there could be a problem with your eyes that you cannot see.

For many people, diabetes can develop without warning. Getting your eyes checked once a year can help you spot problems early to keep your sight healthy.

The Link Between Diabetes and Eye Health

Diabetes can hurt your eyes due to high blood sugar, which can damage the small blood vessels in your eyes and make it hard for you to see. To keep your eyes healthy, you should go to the eye doctor often.

People with this condition can also get cataracts and glaucoma, which can develop without you noticing. It is always best to take care of your eyes.

If you are worried about your eyes, it is a good idea to get them checked. Visiting the eye doctor can help your eyes stay healthy and make you feel better.

What to Expect During the Diabetic Eye Exam

A diabetic eye exam checks your eyes to keep them healthy. Here is what usually happens:

• Eye Drops — The doctor puts drops in your eyes to make the pupils dilate. This helps the doctor see inside your eyes better.

• Pictures — The doctor takes 3D photos of your eyes to look for problems.

• Pressure Test — The doctor checks how hard your eyes are. This helps to see if you have glaucoma.

These tests take 30 to 60 minutes. While dilation may blur your vision temporarily, it gives doctors a clear view of blood vessels, nerves, and other structures that diabetes can harm.

Why “Annual” Matters

Missing an eye exam can make you miss vital signs of eye problems. Diabetic retinopathy has four stages, and early treatment can help a lot. That is why getting eye checkups is necessary.

It is normal to worry about how diabetes can affect your eyes. The good thing is that seeing the eye doctor every year helps you track your progress. These visits can tell if you need to change your blood sugar or pressure, helping you stay healthy.

Beyond the Eyes: A Window to Overall Health

Eye exams do much more than check your vision; they reveal important information about your overall health. For example, they can show early signs of diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure.

Also, healthy eyes indicate better heart and kidney health because they reflect the condition of your blood vessels.

Making Eye Exams a Priority

Life can be busy, but getting your eye checkup every year is important. Pick a day for your doctor’s visit. If money is tight, look for programs like EyeCare America that help people get low-cost or free checkups.

Here are some simple tips to keep your eyes healthy:

• Keep your blood sugar levels under control.

• Wear sunglasses that protect your eyes from the sun.

• Do not smoke, because it can harm your eyes.

Diabetes demands constant vigilance, but you should not face it alone. Annual eye exams give you and your care team the tools to act early, adapt treatments, and preserve vision and quality of life. Take charge today if it has been over a year since your last exam.

For more on annual eye exams, visit Hedges Eye Care at our Newberry, Florida, office. Call (352) 306-1103 to book an appointment today.