Diabetic Eye Exams in Markham, ON

Here at Varley Optometry, we strive to give our patients and their families the best eye care in Markham and the surrounding area.

Importance of diabetic eye exams

When you know you have diabetes, you must realize all the damage it can do to the different areas of your body and one area is the eyes. It can do damage to your eyes that is permanent and not reversible, mainly to the tiny blood vessels supplying blood to your retina. When it does happen, it is referred to as diabetic retinopathy, one of the leading causes of blindness and decreased vision in the diabetic adult.

Diabetes will increase the risk of you developing glaucoma, the condition that will create pressure on the optic nerve that causes damage that could very well lead to blindness.

These conditions sometimes are not symptomatic until the horrible damage has already happened, it is so important that patients with diabetes have comprehensive, regular eye exams. By catching the condition quickly, it could be a way to save your vision.

For diabetes eye check up in Markham visit Varley Optometry and avail the best in class services from our trained and certified optometrists.

Diabetic Eye Exam

When you go to your optometrist to have your diabetic eye exam, he/she will run a battery of tests and procedures to screen so he can determine your eye health. They will probably use some instrumentation so they can look in at the back of your eye and evaluate your vision by using a Snellen E chart. Your optometrist might dilate your eyes (pupils), so he can look at the inside back of your eye easier. After your pupils have dilated, the optometrist will use a magnifying glass with a bright light so he can look for damaged blood vessels on your optic nerve.

It all depends on what the optometrist is seeing, but he/she might take some pictures of your eye so he can get more accurate detailed images.

Diabetic Retinopathy

It usually affects about 80% of diabetic patients that have had diabetes for over ten years. The early part of the disease will not have any symptoms, so you might have some intermittent blurring or even see random spots in your field of vision.

Retinopathy from diabetes is more common in the patient who has had diabetes for some time, and the longer you are affected with diabetes, the bigger your chances for the condition to develop. Other health issues that can contribute to retinopathy:

• Smoking
• Hypertension
• Uncontrolled blood sugar

While retinopathy is chronic, once the damage is done, it cannot be reversed. Call our office today for an appointment to ensure that we keep your eyes as healthy as possible.

Additionally, for diabetes eye check up near you in Unionville, Hillcrest Village, Milliken, and Steeles Toronto, schedule an appointment with us at Varley Optometry today!