Diabetes can harm a person’s eyes and it can damage the blood vessels in the retina. This is known as diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes has also been known to increase the likelihood of developing other eye diseases such as glaucoma. Making sure to visit the doctor regularly is important to ensure that no issues are present. Eye exams should be performed annually, even if the doctor treating your diabetes examines your eyes. If you suffer from regular problems with your eyes because of diabetes you will most likely need to visit the doctor more frequently.
The ophthalmologist will examine a patient’s eyes using a letter chart which is referred to as the Snellen Chart during a regular exam. To help the doctor view your eyes and check their function, the doctor will also give you special drops which will dilate the pupil. This allows the doctor to clearly view the back of the eye. Using a magnifying lens and a bright light the doctor will also check for damage done by diabetes in areas such as:
The doctor will also use a slit lamp to see the cornea of the eye clearly. Usually, photos of the back of the eye will also be taken.
Once the exam is over, your pupils will remain dilated for a while. Your vision will seem blurry for about 6 hours and it will be important to protect your eyes from the light. It will also be a bit more difficult to focus on things which are close up. After the exam, you should wear dark sunglasses for protection and it's recommended that you do not drive. If you need to, have someone drive you home. It may be helpful to keep the room that you are in on the dark side since your eyes will be sensitive.
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