A comprehensive eye health evaluation for diabetic eye disease includes assessment of:
• Refractive state and visual acuity - diabetes cause changes in the refractive state of the lens causing blurred vision that comes and goes throughout the day as the patients' blood sugar changes.
• Neuro-ophthalmic status - the eyes are innervated by 5 of the cranial nerves; small blood vessel changes induced by diabetes may cause oculomotor dysfunction often causing intermittent or constant double vision.
• Anterior segment health - diabetes can cause new blood vessel growth on the iris and prolonged sorbitol accumulation in the lens from diabetes will cause premature cataract development.
• Glaucoma evaluation - small vessels changes in the optic nerve contribute to vision loss in patients with glaucoma, making glaucoma more prevalent and more severe. Symptoms are rarely noticed until advanced stages.
• Posterior segment health - the retina is delicate structure that is susceptible to damage that may not effect other tissues. Viewing with magnification through a dilated pupil allows us to visualize microvascular abnormalities, accumulation of exudative material within the retinal layers, and bleeding. Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy usually don't present until later stages of the disease.
Vision loss and even blindness remains an all too common complication of diabetes with diabetes. Early diagnosis and timely treatment of diabetes has been shown to prevent vision loss in more than 90 percent of patients. However, diabetic eye disease often begins with no symptoms and as a result of the delayed diagnosis, as many as 50% of patients are diagnosed too late for treatment to be effective.
Diabetes affects many body systems and effective management is dependent upon collaboration and communication between all health care providers with the most important member of the team being the patient. Too often, delayed diagnosis and treatment leads to complications which affect the patient's quality of life. Therefore, it is the recommendation of Lifetime Eyecare as well as the American Optometric Association, American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Centers for Disease Control, and the American Public Health Association that patients with diabetes obtain a dilated eye exam every year. More regular evaluations may be indicated if early signs are detected.
Diabetes continues to be one of health care's greatest challenges. The disease at this point with no cure and management is directed at limiting the complications and slowing progression.

At Lifetime Eyecare we use the very latest technology to identify retinal disease. Your first visit will last approximately one to two hours, including your examination and any necessary additional testing. Our goals are to precisely define the nature of your eye problem and to begin treatment promptly.

Remember, having regular, comprehensive eye examinations is the best protection against the progression of diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases. It is recommended that all diabetic patients be examined at least yearly.