Managing diabetes can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to monitoring your health. One of the most important things you can do is get regular eye exams to ensure that any changes in your vision are caught early and treated. Read on to learn more about diabetic eye exams in Edmonton and why they are so important.

What is a Diabetic Eye Exam?

A diabetic eye exam is an eye exam specifically designed for people with diabetes that includes tests to check for common diabetes-related complications such as dry eye, glaucoma, and cataracts.

Your eye doctor will also look for signs of diabetic retinopathy, a condition caused by damage to the blood vessels in the retina due to uncontrolled high blood sugar levels. Diabetic retinopathy can lead to blurred vision, vision loss, or even blindness if left untreated.

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to retinal damage and vision loss, so there is no good type of diabetes.

Signs of diabetic retinopathy can also indicate that there may be problems in other areas of your body, such as your fingers, toes, and kidneys.

Where Can I Get a Diabetic Eye Exam in Edmonton?

Many optometrists, such as those at Helio Optometry, specialize in providing diabetic eye exams. The best way to find one is to ask your primary care doctor or diabetic specialist for recommendations or search online for "diabetic eye exams in Edmonton" or "optometrist near me."

At Helio Optometry, we make booking your diabetic eye exam super easy by allowing you to book your own eye exam online. You can also read more about our diabetes eye exam services.

A referral from your family doctor or diabetic specialist is not required.

We do ask, however, that you bring your doctor's name, a list of your current medications, and a rough idea of your last HgA1C or latest blood sugar readings.

What Should I Expect During My Exam?

During your exam, our optometrists will use specialized equipment such as a slit lamp microscope, high-magnification lenses, and high-resolution retinal imaging equipment to detect signs of retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma or other conditions related to diabetes.

At Helio Optometry, we use some of the newest and most advanced retinal imaging equipment, such as Optomap Ultra-Widefield Retinal Imaging and 3D OCT Retinal Scans. Unfortunately, these machines are not commonly utilized in most optometry offices, so make sure to ask!

In addition, our eye doctors will use drops that dilate your pupils so they can get a better look at the back of your eyes using magnification lenses that provide depth perception and improved clarity. Dilating your eyes also allows our eye doctors to thoroughly examine the lens structure of the eye for early signs of diabetic cataracts and glaucoma changes in the optic nerve. Digital imaging devices do not replace the need for the dilated eye exam; they simply make the testing better.

Depending on what they find during the exam, your optometrist may recommend additional testing, lifestyle changes, medications, or treatments such as laser therapy or eye surgery with retinal specialists.

Are Diabetic Eye Exams Free In Alberta?

Yes. Diabetic eye exams are covered by Alberta Health Care once a year or as recommended by your optometrists. All people with diabetes or prediabetes are encouraged to take advantage of this service and use their Alberta Health Care coverage for preventative care.

Diabetic eye exams, however, do not provide you with an updated prescription for glasses or contact lenses. Therefore, a diabetic eye exam may be done independently or combined with your routine annual eye exam if you wish to update your eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Conclusion:

Having regular diabetic eye exams is essential for anyone with diabetes who wants to maintain their vision long-term and prevent serious complications such as blindness from developing due to uncontrolled blood sugar levels.

If you live in Edmonton and haven't had a diabetic eye exam yet, we would be happy to see you as a new patient. Give us a call or book your diabetic eye exam online or learn more about our diabetic eye exams and routine eye exam services.