Diabetes can affect more than your blood sugar - it can also cause changes inside the eyes that threaten your vision over time. At Jeffrey H. Brown Optometry, we provide diabetic eye exams in Costa Mesa, CA to evaluate retinal health, identify early signs of diabetic eye disease, and monitor changes that may require additional care.
How Diabetes Affects Your Vision
High blood sugar can damage the small blood vessels that supply the retina and may also contribute to other changes in the eye. Some diabetic-related eye conditions can develop gradually without causing noticeable symptoms at first.
Common eye conditions associated with diabetes include:
Diabetic retinopathy, caused by damage to blood vessels in the retina
Diabetic macular edema, which involves swelling in the central retina
Cataracts, which can develop earlier or progress more quickly in people with diabetes
Glaucoma, which can damage the optic nerve and lead to permanent vision loss
Temporary blurry or fluctuating vision related to changes in blood sugar levels
Because these conditions can affect your sight differently, a thorough diabetic eye exam helps us look beyond how clearly you can see and evaluate the health of the eye itself.
The Importance of Regular Diabetic Eye Exams
Diabetic eye disease can begin before you notice blurry vision, floaters, dark areas, or other symptoms. Regular diabetic eye exams in Costa Mesa give us an opportunity to identify concerning changes at an earlier stage, when monitoring and treatment may be more effective.
Routine exams also allow us to compare your eye health over time. If diabetic retinopathy or another condition is already present, ongoing evaluation helps us monitor progression and determine whether additional care or referral to a specialist is needed.
What to Expect During a Diabetic Eye Exam
A diabetic eye exam includes a detailed evaluation of your vision and internal eye health. Depending on your needs, testing may include visual acuity, prescription testing, eye pressure measurements, and a close examination of the retina and optic nerve.
Our office also uses advanced diagnostic technology that may include Optomap retinal imaging and Optical Coherence Tomography, or OCT. Retinal imaging provides detailed views of the back of the eye, while OCT can create highly detailed images of retinal layers to help identify swelling or structural changes. Visual field testing and additional testing may also be recommended when appropriate. These technologies help us document your eye health, compare findings between visits, and look for subtle changes that may not yet be affecting your everyday vision.
Schedule Your Diabetic Eye Exam in Costa Mesa
Schedule your diabetic eye exam with Jeffrey H. Brown Optometry to stay proactive about your eye health, monitor changes related to diabetes, and help protect your vision for the future. Contact our office at 1175 Baker St., Suite E-16, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, by calling (714) 710-8062 to book an appointment.
