Diabetic Eye Exam Fort Myers

If you are diabetic, an annual dilated eye exam will help your eye care professional detect changes in your eyes that could lead to loss of vision if not treated. Diabetic retinopathy, for example, is a leading cause of blindness among working-age adults.

Diabetic Eye Exam Fort MyersElmquist Eye Group is pleased to provide specialized care and services for diabetic patients in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and throughout Lee County.

E. Trevor Elmquist, DO, specializes in general ophthalmology and has been selected as one of America’s Top Doctors in ophthalmology by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. His partner, Kate Wagner, OD, and his associate, Nina Burt, OD, are board certified optometrists who provide complete eye care services. The Elmquist Eye Group team has the expertise to care for all family members, from children to seniors.

Importance of a Diabetic Eye Exam

Diabetes and high blood sugar are responsible for several different eye conditions that can cause vision loss, including blindness. Those conditions include:

  • Diabetic retinopathy – The most common cause of vision loss among diabetics, it damages the blood vessels in the light-sensitive tissue called the retina that lines the back of the eye.
  • Diabetic macular edema – Related to diabetic retinopathy, it refers to swelling in the part of the retina called the macula and can cause blurred vision.
  • Glaucoma – This disease damages the optic nerve which relays information from the eye to the brain. Adults with diabetes are twice as likely to develop glaucoma.
  • Cataract – This is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. Diabetics are two to five times more likely to develop cataracts and may develop them at an earlier age.

Unfortunately, all forms of diabetic eye disease can potentially cause severe vision loss and blindness. Diabetes can damage your eyes before you experience any pain, blurred vision or other symptoms. An annual diabetic eye exam can spot problems early and stop or slow their progression before irreversible damage is done.

Another factor to consider is that the eyes are the only place in the body where a doctor can see your blood vessels. A dilated eye exam enables your ophthalmologist to determine whether changes found in your eyes may be causing other diabetes-related changes in the rest of your body.

If you experience any of the following symptoms between your annual eye exams, report them to Elmquist Eye Group as soon as possible. They may signal changes related to diabetes or simply require a change in your glasses or contact lens prescription.

  • Eye pain or severe headaches
  • Blurred or distorted vision
  • Glare or halos from bright lights
  • Sudden appearance of floaters
  • Double vision
  • Fading or yellowing of colors
  • Shadows or dark spots in the center of your vision
  • Shadow or curtain over part of your visual field
  • Sudden flashes of light
  • Difficulty reading
  • Difficulty seeing or driving at night
  • Droopy eyelid

Schedule your diabetic eye exam today by calling Elmquist Eye Group in Fort Myers at (239) 936-2020. Our team of eye care professionals in Lee County is committed to providing you with individualized care and helping you prevent vision loss.