What Is the Purpose of a Diabetic Eye Exam?

How Diabetes Affects Your Eyes

Diabetes can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. Over time, this can lead to several serious eye diseases, including:

Diabetic Retinopathy: The most common diabetic eye disease, which can cause vision loss if not treated early.

Diabetic Macular Edema: Swelling in the central retina, affecting sharp, detailed vision.

Cataracts: Diabetes increases the risk of developing cataracts earlier in life.

Glaucoma: People with diabetes have a higher risk of glaucoma, which can damage the optic nerve.

Because many of these conditions start silently, you may not notice any symptoms until the damage is significant - which is why routine exams are so important.

What Happens During a Diabetic Eye Exam?

A diabetic eye exam is more in-depth than a standard annual eye exam. Our eye doctors in Las Vegas will evaluate all areas of the eye that can be impacted by diabetes, including:

Dilated Retinal Examination: We use special eye drops to widen the pupils and get a clear view of your retina, macula, and optic nerve.

Retinal Imaging or OCT Scans: High-resolution imaging helps us detect early signs of diabetic changes, sometimes before they are visible to the naked eye.

Vision Testing: We check how well you can see and monitor changes over time.

Eye Pressure Measurement: High eye pressure can be a sign of glaucoma.

These advanced testing methods allow us to take a proactive approach to preserving your vision.

How Often Should You Have a Diabetic Eye Exam?

Most patients with diabetes should schedule a diabetic eye exam every year. In some cases - especially if signs of diabetic eye disease are present - more frequent monitoring may be recommended. Even if you feel your vision is perfectly fine, staying consistent with your exam schedule is key to early detection and preventing avoidable vision loss.

Protecting Your Vision Starts with Prevention

The best defense against diabetic eye complications is early, routine monitoring and managing your overall health. Controlling blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels can greatly reduce eye-related risks. Pairing this with annual diabetic eye exams in Las Vegas helps ensure that if a problem does arise, we can address it quickly.

Schedule Your Diabetic Eye Exam in Las Vegas, NV

Diabetes can impact your eyes long before symptoms appear, but with comprehensive diabetic eye exams, vision loss is often preventable. We are committed to providing advanced eye care and ongoing support to help you maintain healthy eyesight for years to come.

If you have diabetes, don’t wait for changes in your vision. Contact Optic Gallery Hualapai to schedule your diabetic eye exam and take the next step toward protecting your sight. Visit our office in Las Vegas, Nevada, or call (702) 873-2121 to book an appointment today.