A diabetes exam is important for anyone at risk for diabetes or who has diabetes. The exam can help your healthcare provider detect diabetes early and manage the condition.
Vision can be affected by diabetes in a few ways. First, diabetes can cause changes in the blood vessels of the retina (diabetic retinopathy), which can lead to vision loss and blindness. Second, diabetes can cause cataracts, which are cloudy areas in the lens of the eye that can cause vision problems. Third, diabetes can cause glaucoma, which is a condition that damages the optic nerve and can lead to vision loss.
An optometrist may diagnose diabetes by observing changes in a person’s eyes during a comprehensive eye exam.
