Diabetic Eye Care
Understanding how diabetes affects your eyes
Diabetes can damage the tiny blood vessels in your eyes. This happens when blood sugar stays high for too long.
This is the most common eye problem from diabetes. High blood sugar damages blood vessels in your retina. The retina is the part of your eye that helps you see. At first, you may not notice any problems. As it gets worse, you might see blurry vision, dark spots, or floating objects.
There are two main types:
- Non-proliferative: Blood vessel walls get weak and leak fluid
- Proliferative: New blood vessels grow but they are fragile and can bleed
This happens when fluid leaks into the macula. The macula is the center part of your retina that helps you see fine details. When it swells, your central vision gets blurry. This makes it hard to read or see small things clearly.
People with diabetes get cataracts earlier and more often than others. High blood sugar speeds up the normal aging process of the lens in your eye. This causes the same type of cataracts that older people get, just at a younger age. This causes blurry vision, trouble seeing at night, and colors that look faded.
Diabetes increases your risk of getting glaucoma, especially open-angle glaucoma. This disease damages your optic nerve from too much pressure in your eye. You might not notice symptoms until you lose a lot of vision.
Why early care matters?
Finding eye problems early is key. With the right care, most serious vision loss from diabetes can be prevented or delayed. Regular eye exams help us catch problems before your vision changes.
Warning signs and symptoms
Many diabetic eye problems start with no symptoms. But some warning signs need quick attention.
Call our office right away if you notice:
- Sudden changes in your vision
- Blurry or wavy vision
- New floaters or dark spots
- Flashing lights
- Colors that look washed out
- Trouble seeing at night
These symptoms need immediate care:
- Sudden severe vision loss
- A dark curtain across your vision
- Severe eye pain with nausea
- Many new floaters with flashing lights
Your risk goes up if you:
- Have had diabetes for many years
- Have trouble controlling blood sugar
- Have high blood pressure
- Have high cholesterol
- Are pregnant with existing diabetes
- Have kidney disease
If you have diabetes and plan to get pregnant, get an eye exam before pregnancy or in your first trimester. Diabetic eye disease can get worse during pregnancy. You may need more frequent eye exams during pregnancy based on your risk and what your doctor finds.
Eye exams and testing
Regular eye exams are your best protection against vision loss. We use modern tools to find problems early.
All people with diabetes need yearly dilated eye exams. This is true even if you have no eye disease and good blood sugar control. If you already have eye problems, you may need exams every few months.
We will put drops in your eyes to make your pupils bigger. This lets us see the back of your eye clearly. The exam is not painful, but the drops make you sensitive to light for a few hours. Bring sunglasses and have someone drive you home.
We might use these tests to get detailed pictures:
- Photos of your retina to track changes over time
- OCT scans to check for swelling in the macula
- Fluorescein angiography to see blood vessel problems and plan laser treatment
Bring these items to help us give you the best care:
- List of all your medicines
- Recent blood sugar logs
- Your latest A1C test results
- Any vision changes you have noticed
Some places offer remote eye screening using cameras and computer programs. These can help find problems, especially in areas with limited access to eye care. However, they do not replace regular comprehensive eye exams with an eye doctor.
Treatment options
We have many ways to treat diabetic eye problems. The right treatment depends on what type of problem you have and how severe it is.
Anti-VEGF injections are often the first treatment for macular edema and severe retinopathy. These medicines help reduce swelling and stop abnormal blood vessel growth. Treatment schedules vary based on the drug used and how you respond, but may start with injections every 4 to 8 weeks.
Sometimes we use steroid injections when anti-VEGF treatments do not work well enough or for certain types of macular edema. These help reduce swelling but can have side effects like higher eye pressure or cataracts. We will monitor you closely if you need this treatment.
We use different types of laser treatment:
- Focal laser to seal leaking blood vessels
- Grid laser to reduce swelling in the macula
- Panretinal laser to prevent severe vision loss from new blood vessel growth
When there is a lot of bleeding or scar tissue, you might need vitrectomy surgery. This removes blood and scar tissue from inside your eye to help restore clearer vision.
Most treatments need regular follow-up visits to work well. Missing appointments can make your eye problems worse. We will work with you to create a schedule that fits your life.
Prevention and healthy living
Good diabetes care is the best way to protect your eyes. Daily choices make a big difference in reducing your risk of vision problems.
Keeping blood sugar close to normal is the most important thing you can do for your eyes. Work with your diabetes team to:
- Check blood sugar as often as recommended
- Take diabetes medicines as prescribed
- Follow your meal plan
- Track your A1C levels
High blood pressure and cholesterol make diabetic eye disease worse. Keep them healthy by:
- Taking prescribed medicines
- Eating heart-healthy foods
- Staying active with regular exercise
- Limiting salt and processed foods
These habits help protect your vision:
- Do not smoke or quit if you do smoke
- Stay at a healthy weight
- Exercise regularly
- Wear sunglasses to protect from UV rays
- Eat foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants
Share your eye exam results with your diabetes doctor. This helps them adjust your diabetes treatment to better protect your eyes. Good teamwork between all your doctors gives you the best care.
Living with diabetic eye disease
A diagnosis of diabetic eye disease does not mean you will lose your vision. With proper care and follow-up, most people keep good eyesight.
Follow-up visits are very important. The schedule depends on how severe your eye disease is and what treatments you are getting. Keeping appointments helps prevent setbacks.
Pay attention to changes in your vision between visits:
- Check each eye separately every day
- Keep a simple log of any vision changes
- Call right away if you notice new problems
- Use good lighting when reading
If your vision becomes limited, special services can help you stay independent. These include training with low vision devices, mobility help, and adaptive technology.
Talk to your eye doctor about driving and work tasks if your vision changes. Many people can continue these activities safely with some adjustments or helpful devices. Legal driving standards vary by state and may require formal vision testing.
Dealing with eye problems can be stressful. It is normal to feel worried or upset. Ask about counseling services and support groups that can help you cope with these challenges.
Care at ReFocus Eye Health Penndel
Our experienced eye doctors provide complete diabetic eye care using the latest treatments and technology.
We offer all the care you need in one place:
- Complete eye exams with dilation
- Advanced imaging and testing
- All types of diabetic eye treatments
- Surgery when needed
- On-site optical services
- Emergency eye care
We create personalized treatment plans that fit your needs and work with your diabetes care team. Our approach follows national guidelines for the best possible outcomes.
Located in Penndel, we make it easy for patients throughout Bucks County to get quality eye care close to home. We serve Levittown, Bensalem, Bristol, and surrounding communities.
We provide clear instructions and follow-up plans after every visit. We can share your results with your other doctors to keep your care coordinated and effective.
Frequently asked questions
Here are answers to common questions about diabetic eye care.
Yes, you still need regular eye exams even if your vision seems normal. Diabetic eye disease often has no early symptoms. By the time you notice vision problems, significant damage may have already occurred. Annual dilated eye exams can catch problems early when treatment works best.
The exam itself is not painful. The eye drops may sting briefly when applied. Your pupils will stay large for several hours, making you sensitive to bright light and causing some blurry vision up close. Bring sunglasses and arrange for someone to drive you home.
Good blood sugar control greatly reduces your risk of developing diabetic eye disease and slows its progression. However, it does not completely eliminate the risk. Length of time with diabetes, genetics, and other health factors also play a role. This is why regular eye exams remain important even with excellent diabetes management.
Most diabetic eye damage cannot be completely reversed, but newer treatments can often stop or slow down the progression. Some treatments for macular edema can improve vision in certain cases, though improvement is often modest. The key is catching problems early and getting prompt treatment.
Anti-VEGF eye injections are usually the first treatment when swelling affects the center of the macula and causes vision problems. These injections help reduce swelling and prevent further damage. The treatment schedule is tailored based on how well you respond.
Yes, aspirin for heart protection is safe to use even if you have diabetic retinopathy. Aspirin does not increase the risk of bleeding in your eyes. You can safely continue both your heart care and eye care treatments together.
Laser treatment is designed to prevent severe vision loss, not improve vision you already have. While some people may notice mild side effects like reduced night vision or loss of some side vision, the goal is preventing much more serious vision loss. Your doctor will discuss the benefits and risks before treatment.
The frequency of injections varies based on how your eyes respond to treatment and which drug is used. Most people start with injections every 4 to 8 weeks or monthly. As your condition improves, you may be able to go longer between treatments. Some people need ongoing injections to maintain their vision.
Many people with diabetic retinopathy can continue driving safely, especially with early-stage disease. Your eye doctor will assess your vision and discuss any limitations. Some people may need to avoid night driving or may benefit from special mirrors or other adaptive equipment. Legal requirements vary by state.
Yes, tele-screening is a helpful tool but does not replace comprehensive eye exams with an eye doctor. You still need regular dilated eye exams at the recommended intervals. Tele-screening can miss some problems and cannot provide treatment if issues are found.
If you have diabetes and are planning pregnancy, get a comprehensive eye exam before conception or in your first trimester. Diabetic retinopathy can worsen during pregnancy, so you may need more frequent monitoring throughout your pregnancy to protect your vision.
Bring a list of all medications, recent A1C results if available, and any eye records from previous doctors. Write down any vision changes or symptoms you have noticed. Plan to have your pupils dilated, so bring sunglasses and arrange transportation home.
Missing follow-up appointments can lead to worsening of your eye disease and permanent vision loss. If you are getting injections, skipping treatments may cause swelling to return. If you need to reschedule, call as soon as possible to find a new appointment time that works for you.
Eye injections are generally safe, but some people may experience temporary eye pressure increase, mild pain, or floating spots. Serious complications like infection are very rare. Your doctor will explain all risks before starting treatment and monitor you closely.
Most laser treatments take 15 to 30 minutes per eye. Focal laser for small areas may be quicker, while panretinal laser for the entire retina may take longer or require multiple sessions. You may have some discomfort during treatment, but it is usually tolerable.
Yes, children and teenagers with diabetes can develop eye problems, though it is less common than in adults. Children with type 1 diabetes should start getting eye exams 3 to 5 years after diagnosis. Children with type 2 diabetes should start getting eye exams right after diagnosis.
Schedule your diabetic eye exam today
Take the first step in protecting your vision by scheduling a comprehensive eye exam. Contact ReFocus Eye Health in Penndel to book your appointment and start your personalized diabetic eye care plan.
First visit, positive. Friendly staff, no wait. Pre-doctor exam thorough. Dr. Bano wonderful and funny. Alex helped with glasses, knowledgeable, humorous. I really enjoyed my visit!
Aimée Robidoux
Staff was friendly. Dr. Soll is very friendly and knowledgeable. Recommend this office.
Carol Scott
Dr. Amin performed cataract surgery on both my eyes. It was a wonderful experience for me. The entire staff that I met at Refocus Eye were the best.
George Ruoss
Staff extremely helpful and pleasant. Dr. Soll goes the extra mile. My visits are always a pleasure!
Matthew Costello
Everything fantastic! From check-in to tests to Dr. Elisa Bano, everyone professional, courteous, knowledgeable. Visit easy and effective. Thank you all again ♥️♥️♥️
Jay Cohen
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Tuesday: 12-6PM
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
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Saturday: Closed
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