Diabetes can affect more than your blood sugar. Over time, elevated blood glucose levels can damage the small blood vessels in the eyes, sometimes before you notice any changes in your vision. At Clarke EyeCare Center, we provide diabetic eye exams in Wichita Falls to help identify these changes early and protect your long-term eye health.

Why Diabetic Eye Exams Are Important

One of the primary conditions we look for is diabetic retinopathy. This occurs when diabetes damages blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy may cause few or no noticeable symptoms.

Diabetes is also associated with a higher risk of other eye conditions, including cataracts and glaucoma. Regular comprehensive eye exams allow us to monitor your eyes for changes and determine whether additional care is needed.

What We Look For During a Diabetic Eye Exam

A diabetic eye exam goes beyond checking whether your glasses prescription has changed. We evaluate the health of the structures inside your eyes, paying particular attention to the retina and its blood vessels.

During your visit, we may look for signs such as:

•          Leaking, swelling, or abnormal retinal blood vessels

•          Small areas of bleeding within the retina

•          Changes involving the macula, which provides detailed central vision

•          Signs of cataracts or glaucoma

•          Changes in vision that may be related to fluctuating blood sugar

A dilated examination allows us to get a clearer view of the retina and identify changes that may not be causing symptoms yet.

How Often Do You Need a Diabetic Eye Exam?

The recommended schedule depends on the type of diabetes you have, your eye health, and how well your diabetes is managed. People with type 2 diabetes should generally receive a comprehensive dilated eye exam at the time of diagnosis. Adults with type 1 diabetes should typically have their first dilated eye exam within five years after diabetes begins. After that, regular monitoring is important.

For many patients, diabetic eye exams are performed annually. If one or more yearly exams show no diabetic retinopathy and blood sugar remains well managed, an eye care provider may recommend exams every one to two years. If diabetic retinopathy is present or progressing, more frequent examinations may be necessary.

Do Not Wait for Vision Changes

Diabetic eye disease can develop without obvious symptoms. By the time blurred vision, floaters, dark areas, or other noticeable changes occur, the condition may already be more advanced.

Routine diabetic eye exams give us the opportunity to identify concerns earlier and recommend appropriate monitoring, treatment, or referral when necessary. Maintaining healthy blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels can also play an important role in reducing the risk or progression of diabetic eye complications.

If you have diabetes and are due for an eye exam, schedule your diabetic eye exam with Clarke EyeCare Center to protect your vision. Contact our office in Wichita Falls, TX, by calling (940) 691-5645 to book an appointment.