How is a Diabetic Eye Exam Different From a Regular Eye Exam?

Exams are vital for protecting your overall ocular wellness. Eye health is more than just vision, so it's a great idea to schedule exams regularly with our experienced doctors. We can check all the intricate tissues of the eyes individually and synergistically to diagnose any hidden problems and help thwart future issues.

Exams are especially important for those with diabetes or at risk of diabetic eye disorders. Unfortunately, these disorders often do not show themselves until they've caused irreversible damage. Yet, through our comprehensive examinations, we can help you avoid these consequences. So, contact us and schedule your consultation at inVision Ophthalmology Tuscaloosa in Tuscaloosa, AL.

The differences between a diabetic eye exam and a regular eye exam

During a regular eye exam, our ophthalmologists perform various tests. Their exact combination and scope will be unique to your needs, as we strive to offer each patient the personalized care that we've become known for.

Some of these tests may include:

Acuity test. This is the one most people are familiar with, as it requires reading off consecutively smaller lines of letters from the Snell chart.

A perimetry test examines the breadth of your peripheral vision and width of your visual field, your eye's ability to focus, and the presence of any blind spots.

By checking your eye's alignment, we can ensure that your stereoscopic vision is in order. Proper stereoscopic abilities are vital so that your eyes can hone in on the same object or point of interest.

A diabetic eye test is a bit different. Our experts focus on the retina at the back of the eye. We do this through various means, including pupil dilation, achieved with eye drops. Once the pupils have dilated, we can check the status of the retinal tissues more carefully. We may also conduct tonometry, using a device to check the pressures within the eye.

One criterion that may be relevant for both a traditional exam and a diabetic exam is the color vision test. Additionally, a fluorescein angiography utilizes a dye, which is injected into your arm and then travels to the eyes to reveal any degraded ocular blood vessels.

Be on the lookout for signs of diabetic retinopathy

We can't stress enough how essential it is to call in or message us and schedule a diabetic eye exam. Sugars circulating through the bloodstream are akin to little grenades, causing physical damage to tissues all through the body. Including the eyes, and many may not even know they're at risk or how close they are to incurring irreversible ocular cellular damage.

One significant risk is the development of diabetic retinopathy. As the unattenuated blood sugars swish through the circulatory system, they attack the blood vessels in the retina. And since the retina houses the light-sensing cells that your vision relies on, diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness. Here are some of the signs of diabetic retinopathy:

• Blurred vision or other visual disturbances

• Anomalies that develop in your vision, such as the appearance of dark spots, floaters, and squiggly lines

• Color blindness

• Trouble with everyday tasks, such as reading

Get in touch today for a diabetic eye exam and long-lasting eye health

Don't wait any longer if you have any concerns. Without professional examination, it's impossible to tell how close you may be to diabetic eye damage. And once it occurs, it's irreversible. But we're here to do everything we can to ensure that doesn't happen. And all you have to do is reach out to us at inVision Ophthalmology Tuscaloosa. These disorders can be very treatable, and future problems can be averted with timely intervention in Tuscaloosa, AL.