Diabetic Eye Exams in Chandler

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when damaged blood vessels in the retina swell and leak. Abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina, decreasing blood flow and reducing vision. Additionally, the fluid may cause the macula to thicken and swell, causing diabetic macular edema.

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy can include:

• Blurred or hazy vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• An empty or dark spot (center vision)
• Seeing floaters or spots

Treatment for diabetic retinopathy focuses on stopping leaking and reducing abnormal blood vessel growth. Controlling diabetes with medication, exercise, and diet can help decrease swelling and reduce symptoms. When the disease progresses, it can be treated with:

• Anti-VEGF or steroid injections
• Eye surgery
• Laser treatment

Edema is the medical term for swelling caused by too much fluid. Diabetic macular edema is the swelling of the macula, the oval-shaped center of the retina. The macula detects light properties essential for vision, including central vision, fine details, and color.

When the blood vessels supplying the retina leak, the fluid causes the macula to thicken and swell. When macula function is impaired, it can cause:

• Blurred or wavy central vision
• Faded or washed-out colors
• Difficulty reading

Treatment aims to stop fluid leaking, therefore reducing swelling. In addition to managing diabetes as a whole, additional treatments for macular edema can include:

• Anti-VEGF or steroid injections
• Laser treatment
• Medicated eye drops
• Vitrectomy

Glaucoma causes progressive optic nerve damage. The optic nerve is a bundle of over one million nerve fibers at the back of the eye. The nerve fibers send visual information (as electric signals) from the retina to the brain. When nerve fibers are lost, vision is lost. Over time, glaucoma leads to significant optic nerve damage, resulting in blindness.

There are many forms of glaucoma, but the most common in the US is open-angle glaucoma. Excess fluid in the eye increases pressure on the optic damage, slowly causing the nerve fibers to deteriorate. With diabetes, the extra fluid results from damaged blood vessels leaking inside the eye.

As open-angle glaucoma develops slowly, many people notice no symptoms until significant damage occurs. In time, people with glaucoma may see peripheral vision loss. Unfortunately, optic nerve damage cannot be reversed. However, early detection can help prevent further vision loss.

At Urban Optique & Eyecare, glaucoma screening is a routine part of our comprehensive eye exams.