Diabetic Eye Exams in Redlands, CA: What to Expect and How We Protect Your Sight

Diabetes can affect more than your blood sugar. Over time, elevated blood sugar can damage the small blood vessels in the retina, increasing the risk of diabetic retinopathy and other vision complications. Because these changes can develop before you notice symptoms, regular diabetic eye exams are an important part of protecting your sight. At Orange Plaza Optometry, we provide diabetic eye care in Redlands, CA to help identify changes early and monitor your eye health over time.

The Importance of Diabetic Eye Exams

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when diabetes damages blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. These vessels can leak fluid or blood and eventually interfere with vision. Diabetes can also increase the risk of other eye conditions, including diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma, all of which can affect vision if left undetected or untreated.

Early diabetic eye disease may not cause noticeable symptoms. That means clear vision does not necessarily mean your eyes are unaffected. Routine diabetic eye exams allow us to look beyond your eyesight and closely evaluate the retina, macula, optic nerve, and other important structures for signs of diabetes-related changes.

What Happens During a Diabetic Eye Exam?

Your visit is designed to give us a detailed view of your eye health. Depending on your individual needs, your diabetic eye exam in Redlands may include:

•          Visual acuity testing to measure how clearly you see

•          Dilated examination to evaluate the retina and other internal eye structures

•          Digital retinal photography to document and monitor retinal changes

•          OCT imaging to create detailed images of the retinal layers

•          Additional testing when needed based on your eye health and medical history

These tests help us look for signs of diabetic retinopathy and other conditions that may affect patients with diabetes, including glaucoma and cataracts.

How Retinal Imaging Helps Us Monitor Changes

Digital retinal photography provides detailed images of the back of your eye. These images can be saved and compared during future visits, helping us identify changes that develop over time.

We also use Optical Coherence Tomography, or OCT, when appropriate. OCT produces detailed cross-sectional images of the retina, allowing us to examine its individual layers and identify abnormalities that may not be noticeable through vision changes alone.

Protecting Your Vision Between Exams

Managing diabetes and maintaining regular medical care play important roles in protecting your eyes. Keeping blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol within the ranges recommended by your healthcare providers can help lower the risk of diabetes-related complications. You should also contact our eye doctor promptly if you experience sudden blurry vision, new floaters, dark areas in your vision, or other unexpected visual changes.

If you have diabetes, schedule a diabetic eye exam with Orange Plaza Optometry to monitor your eye health and help protect your sight. Contact our office in Redlands, California, by calling (909) 335-0300 to book an appointment today.