A: It is great that you’re thinking in line with preventative measures when it comes to your disease! Preventing complications is much easier than dealing with an eye problem that has gone undetected for a long time. The American Diabetes Association recommends a dilated eye exam once every year at the very least for individuals with diabetes.
People with diabetes can have an eye disease called diabetic retinopathy. This is when high blood sugar levels cause damage to blood vessels in the retina. These blood vessels can leak, swell or grow erratically, all which can have a devastating permanent affect on the retina.
Some important changes for diabetic patients include blurred or double vision, pain in your eyes, difficulty reading or seeing wavy lines where you should see straight lines, floaters, and a feeling of pressure in your eyes. If you’re already experiencing one or more of these symptoms, come in to SoCal Eye to be evaluated. If you’re not experiencing eye problems, make sure you’re seen at least once every year by a SoCal Eye optometrist or ophthalmologist.