Protect Your Vision with Diabetic Eye Exams
Whether you are living with Type 1, Type 2, gestational diabetes, or pre-diabetes, fluctuations in blood sugar can impact your eye health and lead to serious vision complications. Our team provides ongoing monitoring and personalized management strategies to help you maintain your sight and track changes over time.
Protecting your vision is a critical part of managing diabetes. At Cary Family Eye Care, we focus on diagnosing and treating diabetic eye conditions during their earliest stages, when intervention is most effective.
Are you due for your next eye exam? Book your appointment online today.
How Often Should I Have a Diabetic Eye Exam?
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes, clinical guidelines recommend a dilated eye exam at least once per year. After your first exam with us, we’ll recommend a tailored exam schedule that may change according to your needs.
Because many diabetic eye diseases do not show noticeable symptoms until significant damage has occurred, these routine exams serve as the primary tool for catching issues early. Consistent screenings allow us to identify subtle changes in your retina before your vision is compromised.
What Is Diabetic Eye Disease?
Diabetic eye disease is a term used to describe a group of conditions resulting from diabetes complications, including diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma.
High blood sugar levels caused by diabetes can damage the delicate blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the eyes. This damage can lead to blurry vision, leaking or broken blood vessels, and poor circulation to essential eye tissues.
Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of developing these conditions.
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye). These vessels may swell and leak fluid, or they may close off completely, stopping blood flow. In some cases, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina, which can lead to scarring or vision loss.
Diabetic macular edema is a consequence of diabetic retinopathy. It involves the buildup of fluid in the macula, which is the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. This swelling can distort your vision and make tasks like reading or driving difficult.
Living with diabetes increases your risk of developing other eye conditions. People with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts (a clouding of the eye’s lens) at an earlier age. Additionally, diabetes doubles the likelihood of developing glaucoma, a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve.
How We Monitor for Diabetic Eye Disease
A diabetic eye exam is very similar to a standard comprehensive eye exam, but includes more frequent diagnostic testing and imaging.
In addition to checking your prescription and general eye health, we use Optos retinal imaging and iVue Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to capture high-resolution cross-sections of your retina. These images allow us to see beneath the surface and detect fluid or vascular changes that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
Dilation is a standard part of every diabetic exam. We use specialized eye drops to widen your pupils, providing a clear view of the back of the eye. You may notice your vision is blurry and sensitive to light for a few hours following dilation. We recommend bringing sunglasses and arranging for a ride home from your appointment.
Billing for Diabetic Eye Exams
Due to the increased risk and the need for professional communication, Cary Family Eye Care will use your medical insurance for your annual diabetic eye exam, not your routine vision plan.
Routine vision plans cover refractive care (assessment of visual status and prescribing of glasses and/or contact lenses) and general screening for eye disease. However, they do not cover management of medical conditions.
While medical insurance plans do cover diabetic exams, they often have different copays than your vision plan, and sometimes deductibles must be met before they will provide coverage. Learn more about your insurance options.
Partnering in Your Long-Term Vision Care
Diabetic eye disease, much like diabetes itself, is a chronic condition that requires consistent management under professional care. Regular eye exams are not just about updating a prescription; they are a vital component of your overall diabetes management plan.
By staying proactive, you can take control of your eye health and address changes as they happen. Contact us today to book your annual diabetic eye exam and maintain your vision for the years ahead.
Visit Our Location
Find us on the corner of Carpenter Fire Station Road and Cary Glen Boulevard. Parking is available in the lot behind the medical office building.
Our Address
Contact Information
- Phone: 919-465-7400
- Email: info@caryfamileyecare.com
Hours of Operation
* Closed for lunch from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM, Mondays through Thursdays
