Diabetes
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Ypsilanti Vision
Optometrists located in Ypsilanti, MI
Diabetes causes a number of hidden changes in your body before you experience symptoms. Eye changes, including specific small changes in your retina, can be one of the early indicators of diabetic eye damage. At Ypsilanti Vision in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Tiffany Zair-Yalda, OD, and the skilled team of specialists use high-tech retinal imaging to diagnose diabetic eye disease. They can monitor changes over time and recommend specific care like surgery or injections when needed. Call the office or book an appointment using online scheduling.
Diabetes Q & A
How does diabetes affect the eyes?
Diabetes can damage your inner eye badly. When you have high blood glucose levels for an extended period of time, it can lead to both nerve and blood vessel damage. In your eyes, this often manifests as diabetic eye disease.
More than 40% of Americans with diabetes have diabetic retinopathy, the most common type of diabetic eye disease. Most diabetes sufferers eventually develop some level of diabetic retinopathy.
In diabetic retinopathy, blood vessel damage inside your eyes causes damage to your retina, the cells that sense light and transmit images to your brain. Diabetic retinopathy can seriously disrupt your vision and may eventually cause blindness if untreated.
With an early diagnosis, you can work with your eye doctor and primary care physician to stabilize your health, control your blood sugar, and prevent diabetic retinopathy progression. If you’re newly diagnosed with diabetes, you can take steps to completely prevent diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetes can also cause or contribute to diabetic macular edema, glaucoma, and cataracts, so regular eye exams and monitoring are crucial if you have diabetes.
How does a diabetic eye exam work?
A diabetic eye exam at Ypsilanti Vision is a comprehensive exam that’s similar to your regular eyeglasses or contact lenses exam, with some additional specific imaging and in-depth viewing of your inner eye.
Your optometrist views your retina through a slit lamp, which allows for close-up views. They also perform an optical coherence tomography (OCT) exam, which produces very detailed photos of your retina.
The OCT images show all your different retina layers so your optometrist can measure retinal thickness and look for fluid leaks.
OCT imaging can help your optometrist diagnose diabetic eye disease. The OCT images also help track progress over time. For example, if you start a new treatment for diabetic retinopathy, OCT testing can show how well the treatment works.
How do you treat diabetic eye disease?
Ypsilanti Vision offers comprehensive care for diabetic eye disease. The skilled optometrists diagnose and monitor all kinds of eye disease related to diabetes.
In many cases, you can maintain your eye health without advanced treatment for a long time as long as you manage your blood sugar and whole-body health effectively.
If you need treatment such as intraocular injections, laser treatment, or surgery to repair the damage or stop progression, Ypsilanti Vision can refer you to an experienced ophthalmologist who specializes in that type of care.
For diabetic eye disease diagnosis and monitoring using the most advanced technology, come to Ypsilanti Vision for help. Book an appointment online or by phone today.
