If you have diabetes, your risk for eye damage and permanent blindness increases. To identify early signs of diabetes-related eye disease, Rebecca Verna, OD, of Modern Optometry, offers diabetic eye care. Your provider can check the structures at the back of your eye during routine screenings, so you can start treatments to protect your vision and eye health. Call the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, office to schedule an appointment or book online today.
book your appointmentWhat does diabetic eye care include?
Diabetic eye care at Modern Optometry includes:
Diabetic Eye Screening
A diabetic eye screening is a preventive exam that can identify early warning signs of diabetes-related eye diseases.
Diabetic Eye Exam
A diabetic eye exam is a comprehensive exam performed by your provider, Dr. Verna, to check for signs of diabetic retinopathy. She studies the retina (back of the eye) for signs of retinopathy and the macula (center of the retina) for diabetic macular edema.
Exams can also involve visual acuity testing with an eye chart, pupil dilation, fundoscopy, fundus photography, and glaucoma testing.
Why is diabetic eye care important?
When you have uncontrolled diabetes and your blood sugar levels remain high, it can damage the structures inside your eye, including the retina. Damage to the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye, is a complication known as diabetic retinopathy. This condition can lead to vision loss and permanent blindness if left untreated.
In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, you may not need treatment right away. However, monitoring any changes in your eye health is essential to reduce your risk for vision disturbances and loss.
When left undiagnosed, diabetic retinopathy can progress and require more invasive treatments, including medicated injections to prevent fluid buildup in your eye.
If you have diabetes, schedule routine diabetic eye care exams at Modern Optometry so your provider can identify eye damage in the earliest stages when the condition is easier to treat.
What happens during a diabetic eye screening?
To evaluate your eye’s overall health, Modern Optometry offers dilated eye exams. Your provider dilates your pupils with eye drops to get a better view of the structures, including the blood vessels, retina, and optic nerve.
As part of your diabetic eye care exam, we use our OCT device to take a deeper scan into the retina to check for diabetic retinopathy.
If you have signs of diabetes-related eye disease, Dr. Verna discusses your options for treatment or refers you to a specialist for additional care. She can also customize a care plan to keep your diabetes well-controlled.
Dr. Verna can determine how often you need a diabetic eye screening based on your overall health and the severity of your diabetes.
Call the office of Modern Optometry to schedule a diabetic eye care exam or book an appointment online today.
