What’s Included in a Diabetic Eye Exam?

When you have diabetes, it’s essential to have a diabetic eye exam in Falls Church, VA. These eye exams differ from ordinary eye exams, in that they focus especially on eye conditions related to the disease known as diabetes. Nova Vision Center offers diabetic eye exams to new and current patients. Here’s an idea of what’s included in a diabetic eye exam.

Medical History

First, your optometrist will ask about your vision history, if you are a new patient. You should inform them of any changes in your eyesight, as well as how long you’ve had diabetes, what medications you’re taking and any special issues you’re encountering.

Visual Acuity

Next, the optometrist will appraise your ability to make out numbers and letters under a variety of conditions. This is because diabetes can cause dramatic fluctuations in blood sugar levels, which often changes a person’s visual acuity.

Dilation

The optometrist will dilate the pupils in order to get a better view of the optic nerve, retina and blood vessels inside the eye. This diagnostic test helps to uncover diabetic retinopathy, a common condition associated with diabetes.

Intraocular Pressure Measurement

The optometrist will also measure the intraocular pressure (IOP) to check for signs of glaucoma, another common complication of diabetes. Elevated IOP can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss.

Why do You Need a Diabetic Eye Exam?

Diabetes doesn’t just affect the body. It’s one of the top causes of blindness in individuals over the age of 40. This is why, if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes, you should let your optometrist in Falls Church, VA know, so you can get a special diabetic eye exam each time you come in. Contact us to learn more.