Diabetes affects blood vessels throughout the body, and the small blood vessels in your eyes are no exception. If you live with diabetes in Edmonton, regular eye exams are an important part of protecting your vision, because many diabetes-related eye changes develop gradually and may not cause symptoms at first. Understanding how diabetes affects your eyes can help you know what to watch for and when to book a visit.
How Diabetes Affects the Eyes
High blood sugar over time can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This damage is called diabetic retinopathy. In its early stages, the blood vessels may weaken, leak fluid, or close off. As the condition progresses, new, fragile blood vessels can grow and may bleed into the eye. Diabetes also raises the risk of other eye conditions, including cataracts, which can develop earlier, and glaucoma, which damages the optic nerve.
Changes You Might Notice
Many people with early diabetic eye disease notice nothing at all, which is why routine exams matter even when your vision feels fine. When symptoms do appear, they can include blurry or shifting vision, dark or empty areas in your sight, floaters that seem to increase, faded colours, or difficulty seeing at night. Vision that is blurry one day and clearer the next can also happen when blood sugar levels change, because the lens inside the eye can swell and change shape. Any sudden change, such as a shower of floaters, flashes of light, or a rapid loss of vision, should be checked promptly.
What Your Optometrist Checks For
During a diabetic eye exam, your optometrist checks your vision and prescription, then looks closely at the health of your eyes. Dilating drops are often used to widen the pupil so the retina can be examined more fully. Your optometrist looks for leaking or damaged blood vessels, swelling in the retina, early cataracts, and changes to the optic nerve. If signs of eye disease are found, your optometrist will explain what they mean, how often you should be monitored, and whether a referral to a specialist is recommended.
How Often Should You Have an Eye Exam?
People with diabetes are generally advised to have a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year, even if their vision seems normal and their blood sugar is well managed. Your optometrist may recommend more frequent visits if early changes are found. Keeping blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol in the ranges your care team sets can also support the health of your eyes over time, alongside not smoking and staying active.
Coverage and Booking in Mill Woods
Infinite Eyecare is located at 4275 23 Ave NW in Mill Woods, Edmonton, and we offer direct billing to most major insurers to help make visits simpler. Eye exams for children under 19 and seniors are covered by Alberta Health Care. If you have diabetes and cannot remember when your last eye exam was, or you have noticed a change in your vision, consider booking a comprehensive exam so your eyes can be checked and a baseline can be recorded for future visits.
If you live with diabetes in Edmonton and are due for an eye exam, call Infinite Eyecare at 780-425-0003 to book your appointment.
