Diabetes is considered as the main source of many eye-related problems. A diabetic person is always at high risk of having retinal abnormalities and the best way to handle them is through early detection, regular monitoring, and prompt treatment. This early detection and treatment typically begins with a comprehensive eye exam called a diabetic eye exam. Before digging why is it important to get a diabetic eye exam, let us see what diabetic eye disease is.
Diabetic eye disease in very simple words is eye damage related to diabetes. Though diabetic retinopathy is the most common type of diabetic eye disease, diabetes also raises the risk of cataracts and glaucoma. There are two types of diabetes Type 1 and Type 2 and guess what, both of them have equal potential to adversely affect your eyes. This is because blood sugar can get too high in both types, damaging blood vessels in the eye.
To prevent yourself from diabetic eye disease you must get a diabetic eye exam at least once a year. The American Diabetic Association (ADA) recommends that people with Type 1 diabetes have their first eye exam within the first five years after diagnosis. If you have Type 2 diabetes, the ADA recommends that you have your first eye exam shortly after you receive a diagnosis.
This is because Type 2 diabetes often goes undetected and undiagnosed for years. Retinopathy may have already begun during that time. The ADA also recommends that you should have an eye exam each year after your first exam. If you wear glasses or contacts, you probably need an annual eye exam to keep your prescription up to date. During that exam, your doctor will conduct a few minor tests to see if your vision has changed as a result of diabetes.
Dr. Neeraj Sanduja, who is one of the best eye specialists Gurgaon suggests that eye exam is very essential for the doctor to determine if you already have damage. In this exam doctor first checks your vision and asks you to read letters on an eye chart. Next, the doctor examines the front of your eyes using specialized lights and lenses. The Doctor also checks the pressure inside your eyes with an instrument called a tonometer.
After this, you are given eye drops to dilate your pupils. You relax in the exam room for 15 – 30 minutes while your eyes dilate fully. Then the doctor examines the back of your eyes, including the delicate blood vessels in the retina. These are the vessels that may have been damaged in diabetic retinopathy. Having the pupils dilated allows your doctor to see the entire retina, including any changes. You may also have to undergo a digital retinal imaging process. In this process photographs of your retina are taken off. The doctor reviews the images carefully for signs of diabetic eye disease. The doctor can also compare images from year to year to keep track of any changes.
Thus, it is important that you should get a diabetic eye exam at least once a year.
If you are looking for the best eye hospital in Gurgaon to get a diabetic eye exam, visit Viaan Eye & Retina center. To book an appointment call +918448440121 and for details visit https://viaaneyecentre.in/