A lot can happen once you find out you have diabetes. Not only will you have to be more aware of your blood sugar levels, you will have to monitor the type of food you eat, the amount of exercise you do, as well as the overall health of your eyes.
Over 11 million Canadians have one form of diabetes, and plenty of research has gone into the disease to help find effective management techniques to help minimize the impact of diabetes on their daily lives.
Diabetes raises your chances for developing a range of different eye diseases and conditions, and a lot of them can only be detected by having regular eye examinations. Our ultimate goal is to provide you healthy vision to last you your whole life.
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The importance of regular eye exams can not be overstated, especially if you have diabetes. However, diabetes is not something to be afraid of – it can be properly managed with the help of your healthcare team. When it comes to your vision, we want you to know how diabetes can affect your eye health as you progress through life.
With our help, you could slow or even halt the progression of sight-stealing eye diseases.
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that is directly correlated with the development of diabetes. When you have diabetes, higher levels of glucose (sugar) in your blood can block tiny blood vessels inside of your retina. When these vessels are blocked, more delicate blood vessels begin to form. These new vessels can break and leak blood and other fluids into your retina, causing vision loss.
Vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy can look like dark spots or strings floating in your vision, or it can cause your vision to become blurry.
If you suspect that diabetic retinopathy is developing, contact us immediately or visit your nearest emergency room.
A side-effect of diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema (DME), is a build-up of fluids leaking from broken vessels in the retina to the macula, causing vision loss. You can only experience DME if you already have diabetic retinopathy.
Open-angle glaucoma is one of the most common forms of glaucoma people can experience, and the risk of developing this disease can increase two-fold when you have diabetes.
Open-angle glaucoma is a form of glaucoma where the drainage canal funneling fluids out of your eyes is partially blocked, while the drainage angle between the iris and and cornea remains open. This allows for the slow increase of intraocular pressure inside the eye, which in turn can damage the optic nerve, causing vision loss.
Cataracts are often found to be a condition that develops as a reaction to ageing. However, the chance of cataracts forming increases when you have diabetes. For those who might not know, cataracts are a condition where the lens of your eye starts to become cloudy and grey over time. As you age, your lens becomes less flexible, allowing less light in through to the retina. Cataracts can also form as a result of injury or trauma to the eye.
While the chance of developing cataracts rises when you have diabetes, it is not generally considered to be a disease and is highly treatable thanks to modern medications and surgeries.
Please speak to your optometrist today if you have any concerns about developing cataracts.
Fundus photography is a tool employed by optometrists to get a highly detailed view of your inner eye, specifically of the retina, but can also spot potential issues that could develop with your macula or optic disc. A fundus camera is a powerful tool that can help optometrists spot early signs of diabetic retinopathy or diabetic macular edema.
Ocular coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging system that captures highly detailed pictures of your retina. These cross-sectional images utilize the light waves to help your eye care professional see distinctive layers of the retina and help guide the treatment process of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends visiting your optometrist at least annually for a routine eye exam if you have diabetes. Eye exams are your first line of defence against potential ocular health issues, and it is up to you to make sure you have the help you need.
Simply book your appointment and we can take care of the rest!
Nestled only a few blocks away from the Halifax Waterfront, Ocean Optometry is located just off the corner of Blowers Street and Grafton Street, the world famous Pizza Corner. Find out more here about where to park!
“Friendly, professional, and quick! Their customer service and willingness to help can’t be beat. I’m happy to ‘belong’ to this office- they know my name as soon as I walk in the door. Can’t get that many other places!”
“If you are looking for fabulous glasses, which are a bit more stylish than the average offerings, Ocean is the place to go.”
“Thanks for the wonderful experience. You guys really get eyecare!”
“Very informative and kind staff. Dr. John Wilson was so friendly and went through all the imaging and testing in great detail! I will continue to come here on a regular basis for eye care.”
“Always a great experience. Eye exams are thorough; both optometrists have been pleasant, professional, and very knowledgeable. Great selection of unique, quality frames. All staff have always been beyond helpful!”
“If you want a first-class eye examination from people who love what they do, alongside a unique look in your glasses and great vision, then Ocean Optometry is the only place to go.”
“Saw Dr. McGinty today for a same-day appointment due to getting something in my eyes over the weekend. The staff was incredible; Dr. McGinty was knowledgeable and personable. Didn’t have to wait and got right in and was in and out in 15 minutes without feeling rushed. Their staff was delightful and overall great experience. Will consider switching here for all my eye needs.”
“A gem of an optometrists with a real cutting edge selection of glasses and really thorough eyecare.”
