When Should I Have a Diabetic Eye Exam?

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Diabetes is a condition that affects many areas of the body, including the eyes. The tissues and blood vessels in the eyes are very delicate and can be easily damaged by diabetes. When this happens, it’s called diabetic retinopathy. Youreye doctor in Falls Church, VA, offers special diabetic eye exams to patients who need them. The question is, when should you have a diabetic eye exam, and how often?

When to Have a Diabetic Eye Exam

If you have diabetes, the American Diabetes Association says that you should have an annual diabetic eye exam no later than five years after being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. If you have Type 2 Diabetes, you should have your first diabetic eye exam as soon as possible after diagnosis.

However, these are general guidelines. There are two other things to consider. One is the sooner diabetic retinopathy is detected by your eye doctor, the sooner it can be managed, and more of your vision could be saved. The other is that if you experience any symptoms of deteriorating eye health from diabetes, you should see your eye doctor immediately, no matter when you were diagnosed or even if you’ve yet to be diagnosed.

Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy

  • Pressure or pain in the eye
  • Seeing flashing lights or “sparkles”
  • Dark spots or missing patches in your field of vision
  • Increase in number of floaters (moving spots or lines)
  • Seeing red streaks in your field of vision
  • Sudden worsening of night vision
  • Sudden double vision
  • Sudden blurred vision

All of these could be signs of diabetic retinopathy, and indicate that you should have a diabetic eye exam as soon as possible.

To schedule yourdiabetic eye exam in Falls Church, VA, contact our office today to book your appointment. The sooner that diabetic retinopathy is detected, the better outcome for your eyesight.

What Causes Macular Degeneration?

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For persons aged 50 and older, age-related macular degeneration is the most common reason for serious loss of eyesight. While age-related macular degeneration may not cause total blindness, it does cause enough lack of vision to inhibit the ability to perform some daily tasks. This disease affects the center of vision and is not only uncomfortable but can also lead to a loss of quality of life, as certain activities will be hindered or have to be stopped entirely.

How Macular Degeneration Reduces Quality of Life

Those with macular degeneration in Falls Church, VA, and other areas report that the disease prevents them from doing things they may have enjoyed in the past. Because of the way that macular degeneration affects eyesight in the center of the field of vision, people may be unable to read, see faces, drive, or simply navigate their way around their own house. Unfortunately, when macular degeneration begins, there may be no outward signs. So, without an eye exam, people may unknowingly have macular degeneration.

Risk Factors For Macular Degeneration?

Certain risk factors make it more likely that a person may develop macular degeneration. These include:

  • Excess alcohol consumption
  • Tobacco use of all kinds, including smoking, vaping, and chewing
  • Underlying disorders such as hypertension, diabetes, and high blood pressure
  • Being over the age of 50
  • Obesity
  • Poor nutrition

While these risks factors contribute to a higher chance of developing macular degeneration, the actual cause of this disease is unknown. Some people may have one or more of the risks mentioned above factors and never develop macular degeneration.

Regular eye exams in Falls Church are essential, but especially so if you have any of the risk factors mentioned above. The sooner that macular degeneration is diagnosed, the more vision may be saved. Contact us to book your appointment today.