Did you know that a routine eye exam will uncover hidden health issues such as diabetic retinopathy, high blood pressure and more?
An eye exam can detect retinal bleeding associated with diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can lead to blindness if left unchecked. The early stages of retinopathy can show no symptoms, which is why you should book an appointment with your eye doctor at least once a year.
Eye doctors are often the first to detect health issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes, which can slip under the radar due to the lack of symptoms. Vision screenings, such as those performed by a paediatrician or school nurse, are not suitable substitutes for a dilated eye exam.
Do You Have Diabetic Retinopathy?
You should book an appointment with your eye doctor immediately if you have experienced any of these symptoms:
- Blurry vision
- Flashes of light
- Sudden loss of vision
These are common symptoms of diabetic retinopathy, detected after the onset of the disease. You should also book an appointment with your eye doctor if you are a woman who is planning to become pregnant, because a rapid onset of diabetic retinopathy can occur or worsen during pregnancy.
Detecting diabetes early with an eye exam can help you avoid some very serious symptoms – such as vision loss and blindness.
An Eye Exam Can Be Life-Changing
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in Canada. Yet, it is estimated that 90% of diabetic-related blindness can be avoided with an annual eye exam.
One in three people with diabetes don’t even know they have it.
Almost all patients with diabetes will develop some form of eye damage. It is always better to perform treatment earlier than later, which is why we recommend frequent eye exams to detect eye health issues before they arise.
Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy
Early detection of diabetes can spare your vision, before the retina is severely damaged.
Laser eye therapy is the recommended treatment for proliferative retinopathy, which shrinks abnormal blood vessels. If treatment is delayed, retinopathy can spread to fragile, new blood vessels.
We believe that everyone should have an annual eye exam, because diabetes is a common disease with symptoms that can be deterred with timely treatment.
If you are determined to have diabetic retinopathy, your eye doctor may recommend laser eye surgery. At BoydVision, we provide laser eye surgery with short wait times and affordable rates. To ensure that treatment is scheduled before any severe damage to your eyes, make sure you schedule an appointment with your eye doctor at least once per year.