Our Diabetic Eye Exams
Diabetes impacts all areas of the body, even the eyes. Individuals with diabetes are more prone to develop certain eye conditions and diseases. As such, it’s important to maintain your eye health and undergo regular exams with your optometrist to best manage and prevent these complications.
During a diabetic eye exam, we’ll run regular tests to correct any refractive errors as well as check for eye diseases. If you have diabetes, visiting for regular diabetic eye exams is key in keeping your eyes healthy.
Protecting Diabetic Eyes
If you have diabetes, it is highly recommended that you have your eyes examined at least once a year. We may recommend that you undergo exams more frequently, depending on factors such as how long you have had diabetes, your age, and how well managed your blood sugar is.
It’s imperative that you are proactive when it comes to dealing with diabetic eye disease. Many of these eye issues cannot be detected without the expertise of an eye care professional.
Common Diabetic Eye Diseases
If you have diabetes you have a higher risk of developing common eye diseases, as well as eye diseases that are specific to diabetes. The following are eye diseases to be aware of if you have diabetes.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is the most frequent cause of vision loss for individuals with diabetes as well as the leading cause of blindness in Canada. It occurs when the blood vessels lining the retina are damaged due to chronically high blood sugar.
Research suggests that approximately 20% of individuals diagnosed with diabetes have already been living with diabetic retinopathy for 4–7 years. It is imperative that this disease is diagnosed as early as possible in order to best manage its progression.
Cataracts
Cataracts are not technically an eye disease, as most individuals will eventually develop them within their lifetime. However, those with diabetes are 5 times more likely to develop cataracts (and earlier) than people without. Fortunately, cataracts can be managed and, when required, removed surgically.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease that causes progressive damage to the optic nerve, usually due to high pressure in the eye. It is undetectable without the help of an optometrist because there are no symptoms until peripheral vision loss is already occurring.
Individuals with diabetes may be more likely to develop this eye disease, which results in peripheral vision loss that could lead to blindness.
Take Action Against Diabetes
Protecting your eyes from the effects of diabetes requires you to be proactive. Have you booked your next diabetic eye exam?
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At EyeCare Niagara, we value getting to know our patients so we can better understand the scope of their eye care needs. We leverage our knowledge of optical technology as well as frames, lenses, and other treatments to ensure you’re receiving the best care possible.
Our Location
- 318 Ontario St.
- St. Catharines, ON L2R 5L8
Contact Information
- Phone: (905) 685-6515
- Email: [email protected]
Hours Of Operation
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
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Eyecare Niagara
- 318 Ontario St.
- St. Catharines, ON L2R 5L8
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P: (905) 685-6515
[email protected]