Diabetic Eye Care

Diabetes-related eye damage is the leading cause of blindness in American adults. At Vistasite Eye Care, skilled optometrist Vladimir Dvoretsky, OD, offers comprehensive diabetic eye care services to lower your risk for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and other eye diseases related to diabetes. These services include detailed eye exams and customized treatment plans to slow the progression of eye disease and prevent vision loss and other complications. Call the office in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, New York, or book an appointment online today.

Why is diabetic eye care important?

People with diabetes are at increased risk of developing several eye diseases, especially if their blood sugar levels are uncontrolled. Blood sugar levels that remain high for too long can damage the blood vessels that nourish your eyes, increasing your risk of:

Cataracts

Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of your eye, causing hazy and distorted vision. 

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage your optic nerve and can lead to vision loss and blindness. 

Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when there’s damage to the blood vessels in your retina, the light-sensitive tissue in the back of your eye. 

Vistasite Eye Care provides comprehensive diabetic eye care services to lower your risk of eye diseases and vision loss.

What can I expect during a diabetic eye care appointment?

During your initial diabetic eye care appointment at Vistasite Eye Care, your provider starts by reviewing your personal and family medical histories.

They also dilate your eyes using special eyedrops and perform a detailed eye exam. Your exam includes tests like digital retinal photography to get a closer look at the structures in the back of your eye.

If your eyes look healthy, you should monitor your blood sugar levels regularly and keep up with visits to your family doctor. 

Smoking can damage the blood vessels in your eyes and lead to vision loss. If you smoke, your provider can give you resources to help you quit.

If your exam reveals damage to the blood vessels or tissues in your eyes, your Vistasite Eye Care provider customizes a treatment plan to your needs. This plan may include eyedrops or oral medications to slow the progression of diabetic eye damage.

How often do I need to schedule a diabetic eye care appointment?

Typically, you should schedule a diabetic eye care appointment at Vistasite Eye Care once a year if your eyes are healthy. The providers use testing to track changes in your eye health from one year to the next.

If you’re undergoing treatment for diabetes-related eye damage, you may need to schedule more frequent appointments to ensure your therapies are working.

Anytime you notice changes in your vision, schedule an evaluation with the Vistasite Eye Care team immediately. Delays in treatment can put your eyesight at risk.

Call Vistasite Eye Care to schedule a diabetic eye care consultation or book an appointment online today.