How Does a Diabetic Eye Exam Differ from a Regular Eye Exam? Explaining Key Differences

Managing diabetes means keeping a close eye on your overall health - including your vision. While routine eye exams are essential for everyone, individuals with diabetes require a more specialized approach. At Anderson Lane Vision Source, we prioritize thorough, personalized eye care, especially for those managing chronic conditions like diabetes.
 

What Is a Regular Eye Exam?

A regular comprehensive eye exam checks your overall eye health and visual acuity. During a standard exam, our optometrists assess your prescription for glasses or contact lenses, screen for refractive errors like nearsightedness or astigmatism, and look for early signs of common eye conditions such as glaucoma or cataracts. These exams are typically scheduled annually or biannually and are essential for maintaining good vision and preventing future issues.
 

What Is a Diabetic Eye Exam?

A diabetic eye exam is specifically designed to detect eye problems caused by diabetes - particularly diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to vision loss if left untreated. It also screens for other diabetes-related conditions such as diabetic macular edema (DME), glaucoma, and early-onset cataracts, all of which are more common in individuals with diabetes. This exam includes everything in a routine eye exam but goes several steps further to monitor the health of the retina, macula, optic nerve, and the blood vessels at the back of the eye for signs of damage, leakage, or swelling.
 

Key components of a diabetic eye exam include:
 

• Dilated Retinal Exam: Your eyes will be dilated using special drops so the optometrist can get a clear view of the retina and optic nerve.
• Retinal Imaging or Fundus Photography: High-resolution images are taken to monitor and detect changes in the retinal blood vessels over time.
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): A non-invasive imaging test that provides cross-sectional images of the retina, helping to identify swelling, fluid, or other abnormalities.
• Fluorescein Angiography (if needed): This test uses dye and a special camera to look at the blood flow in the retina.

Why Routine Diabetic Eye Exams Matter

Diabetes can cause damage to the blood vessels in your eyes long before you notice any symptoms. In fact, many diabetic eye diseases progress silently and only become noticeable when vision loss has already begun. Regular diabetic eye exams are key to early detection and timely treatment. The American Diabetes Association recommends that individuals with diabetes receive an eye exam at least once a year. Depending on your condition and risk factors, your optometrist may suggest more frequent monitoring.

Protect Your Sight at Anderson Lane Vision Source

While a routine eye exam is critical for maintaining general eye health, a diabetic eye exam is a specialized and essential tool for those living with diabetes. Our experienced team uses advanced diagnostic tools to protect your vision and catch problems before they become serious.
 

If you have diabetes, schedule your diabetic eye exam with Anderson Lane Vision Source and take a proactive step in preserving your sight. Contact our office in Austin, Texas, by calling (512) 451-6586 to book an appointment today.