WHAT IS DIABETES?
Diabetes is a common condition where the body is unable to maintain healthy blood levels of glucose (which is ‘sugar’). High levels of glucose can have negative short or long-term health effects.
Diabetes can affect your entire body so it’s not surprising that many diabetics experience vision changes during their lives. A major complication can be the damage that diabetes may cause to your eyes’ blood supply. That’s why it’s particularly important for diabetics to have regular eye examinations to monitor their eye health.
WHAT IS DIABETIC RETINOPATHY?
Diabetic Retinopathy is a direct result of damage to the blood supply of your eyes. This can result in blockages, blood leakage or localised swelling, which can all affect your vision. Untreated, it can cause vision loss or even blindness.
Your local Laubman & Pank Optometrist will routinely screen your eyes for Diabetic Retinopathy. Our Optometrists recommend an Ultra-Wide Digital Retinal Scan of your eyes, however often even more detailed scans such as OCT are required so we can look at the deeper layers of your retina.
WHEN SHOULD DIABETICS SEE AN OPTOMETRIST?
All diabetics or pre-diabetic patients should have a full eye examination every 12 months.
However, if you experience any of these symptoms, please book an eye test as soon as possible with your local Laubman & Pank Optometrist. Symptoms vary from person to person but may include some of the following:
- Blurred vision;
- Floaters or spots;
- Blank or missing areas in your vision;
- Double vision;
- Difficulty seeing well at night.
- Increased sensitivity to glare.
WHO IS AT RISK?
Anyone who has Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. You can develop this condition at any age, however the longer you’ve been a diabetic the more you are at risk.
I have Diabetes but my vision is fine, do I still need to get my eyes tested? - Yes, we recommend anyone with diabetes, regardless of age to regularly get your eyes tested. Symptoms often are not noticeable at first as vision loss only occurs when the disease is advanced.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE TEST
What can Laubman and Pank do? Eyes are the easiest way to assess your body’s health for sufferers of diabetes. Our optometrists work with local General Practitioner’s (GPs) and specialists to provide complete care around diabetes and tracking of changes occurring in the eye. This ensures that changes that are occurring unexpectedly are detected, this can only be done with regular eye tests to give the optometrist a history of the person.
TREATING DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
Managing your blood glucose levels well may help delay the onset of diabetic retinopathy. If retinopathy is detected your optometrist can (depending on its severity) monitor it themselves or refer you to an eye specialist who will formulate an individual treatment plan. As always, your local Laubman & Pank optometrist will take the time to explain any treatment options with you thoroughly.
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT DIABETIC RETINOPATHY?
If you have any questions at all or want to chat about protecting your eyes we’re always here to help. Please don’t hesitate to talk to your local Laubman & Pank Optometrist or any other friendly member of your local Laubman & Pank store team.
*Additional charges may apply
