Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of preventable vision loss – but most people don’t know they have it until it’s advanced.
If you’re managing diabetes in Richmond Hill, early detection through annual eye exams could save your sight.
What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that can develop in people with diabetes when high blood sugar levels damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina – the part of your eye responsible for capturing light and sending visual signals to your brain.
Over time, this damage can impair vision and lead to permanent loss of sight if left untreated.
It’s a progressive condition, and it typically develops in stages:
- Mild non-proliferative retinopathy: Small areas of swelling occur in the blood vessels.
- Moderate non-proliferative retinopathy: Some blood vessels become blocked.
- Severe non-proliferative retinopathy: More blood vessels are blocked, depriving parts of the retina of blood supply.
- Proliferative diabetic retinopathy: New, abnormal blood vessels begin to grow, which can leak fluid or bleed – leading to scarring and potential retinal detachment.
Many people assume they’ll feel or see symptoms when something’s wrong, but diabetic retinopathy can progress quietly for years before causing any noticeable vision problems.
Early Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy to Watch For
Though it often starts without warning, there are a few early signs of diabetic retinopathy that you should never ignore:
- Blurry or fluctuating vision
- Dark spots or floaters
- Difficulty seeing colours accurately
- Empty or shadowed areas in your vision
These symptoms can come and go, which makes them easy to dismiss. But if you have diabetes, even mild vision changes are worth a closer look. Your optometrist can detect early retinal damage long before these signs become permanent problems.
Why You Might Not Notice the Damage Right Away
One of the biggest challenges with diabetic retinopathy is that it doesn’t usually cause pain or dramatic vision changes in its early stages. Many people assume everything is fine because they don’t feel any different. But the retina doesn’t send pain signals—damage can build silently, with vision loss only appearing once the disease has advanced.
This is why diabetic eye exams are so important. A comprehensive exam allows your optometrist to monitor subtle changes in your retina, macula, and blood vessels using retinal imaging and dilation. These tools can reveal even microscopic changes long before symptoms show up.
The Link Between Blood Sugar and Your Eyes
Managing your blood sugar is essential – not just for your overall health, but for your eyesight too. When your blood glucose levels are consistently high, the blood vessels in your eyes are more likely to become swollen, leaky, or blocked. That’s how diabetic retinopathy starts.
Maintaining stable blood sugar can significantly slow the progression of diabetic eye conditions. According to the National Eye Institute, tight blood sugar control reduces the risk of vision loss by as much as 76%. But blood sugar control alone isn’t enough – you also need regular eye exams to catch issues early, before damage becomes irreversible.
What to Expect During a Diabetic Eye Exam
A diabetic eye exam is more thorough than a standard vision screening. Your optometrist may:
- Use special imaging like optical coherence tomography (OCT) to view the layers of your retina
- Perform fluorescein angiography to observe blood flow in your retinal vessels
- Dilate your pupils to check for swelling, leakage, or abnormal blood vessel growth
These tests are quick and non-invasive, and they allow your optometrist to build a detailed picture of your eye health over time. Regular exams make it easier to spot new changes early – when treatment is most effective.
Diabetic Eye Exams in Richmond Hill
If you live with diabetes in Richmond Hill, visiting an experienced optometrist who understands diabetes-related vision loss can help you stay ahead of complications. Regular eye exams are the best way to catch early signs of diabetic retinopathy and protect your vision long-term.
At , we offer diabetic eye exams tailored to the needs of our patients. Our comprehensive approach includes advanced retinal imaging and personalized recommendations based on your health and lifestyle.
Book a diabetic eye exam with our optometrist today!