Diabetes affects nearly every system in the body, including the eyes. High blood sugar levels damage delicate blood vessels in the retina over time, increasing the risk of diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma, and other vision-threatening conditions. For diabetics, the question is not whether to schedule specialty eye care, but rather how often to protect their vision and catch problems early.
At Focused Eye Care, our team of 10 doctors has been serving patients in Nashua and Milford, New Hampshire, since 1962. Our doctors have extensive experience diagnosing and treating diabetic eye disease and are all members of the American Optometric Association and the New Hampshire Optometric Association.
How Diabetes Damages Your Eyes
Diabetes harms vision by weakening the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. When blood sugar levels remain elevated, these vessels can leak fluid, swell, or develop abnormal new blood vessels that bleed into the eye. This condition, known as diabetic retinopathy, develops gradually and often without noticeable symptoms in its early stages.
Stages of Diabetic Eye Disease
The progression of diabetic eye disease occurs in distinct phases. Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy is the early stage where small blood vessels begin to weaken and leak. As the condition advances to proliferative diabetic retinopathy, new, fragile blood vessels grow on the retina’s surface and can cause sudden vision loss if they bleed. Diabetic macular edema, which occurs when fluid accumulates in the macula, affects the sharp central vision needed for reading and recognizing faces.
Beyond retinopathy, diabetes increases the risk of other eye conditions. People with diabetes develop cataracts at younger ages and face twice the risk of glaucoma compared to those without diabetes.
Recommended Exam Schedule for Diabetics
You should have an eye exam at least every year if you have diabetes. Annual comprehensive eye exams allow our doctors to detect changes in your retinal health before symptoms appear. Early detection provides the best opportunity to preserve vision through timely treatment.
Patients with existing diabetic eye disease or additional risk factors may need more frequent exams every six months or quarterly. Our doctors at Focused Eye Care tailor exam schedules to individual disease progression, blood sugar control, and overall health status.
What Happens During Your Diabetic Eye Exam
A comprehensive diabetic eye exam extends beyond a simple vision check. Our doctors perform a thorough evaluation using advanced diagnostic technologies to assess retinal health and detect early signs of damage. The exam includes visual acuity testing, dilated eye examination to view the entire retina, tonometry to measure eye pressure, and specialized imaging to document changes over time.
Advanced Technology for Early Detection
Focused Eye Care uses state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to identify diabetic eye disease in its earliest stages. Optical Coherence Tomography provides detailed cross-sectional images of the retina, revealing even subtle changes in retinal thickness or fluid accumulation that may not be visible during a standard exam. Optomap technology captures ultra-widefield images of the retina, providing comprehensive views of the peripheral retina where diabetic changes often first appear. Our doctors utilize these advanced tools to accurately monitor disease progression and adjust treatment plans as needed.
Treatment and Management Options
Treatment for diabetic eye disease depends on the stage and severity of damage. For early-stage diabetic retinopathy, careful blood sugar management combined with regular monitoring may be sufficient to slow progression. More advanced cases may require interventions such as laser treatment to seal leaking blood vessels, injections to reduce swelling and prevent new blood vessel growth, or surgical procedures for severe complications.
Our doctors coordinate care with your endocrinologist and primary care physician to ensure comprehensive diabetes management. This team approach addresses both systemic health and eye health, thereby optimizing patient outcomes.
Warning Signs Requiring Immediate Attention
While annual exams are essential, certain symptoms require urgent evaluation. Schedule an appointment immediately if you experience any of the following warning signs:
- Sudden vision loss: characterized by blurred vision, new floaters, or dark spots in your field of vision, may indicate bleeding in the eye or retinal detachment, both of which require prompt treatment.
- Flashes of light: sudden flashes could signal retinal problems that need urgent evaluation to prevent permanent damage.
- Difficulty reading: changes in near vision or trouble seeing fine details may indicate macular edema affecting central vision.
- Eye pain or redness: discomfort, pain, or redness may signal increased eye pressure, infection, or other complications requiring immediate care.
Our team provides emergency eye care for urgent situations. Our extensive experience in emergency eye care makes us well-equipped to handle diabetic eye emergencies at our Nashua and Milford locations.
Protecting Your Vision Through Regular Care at Focused Eye Care
Regularly maintaining annual eye exams is one of the most effective ways to prevent vision loss associated with diabetes. Regular monitoring allows our doctors to detect changes early and intervene before irreversible damage occurs. Combined with proper blood sugar management, blood pressure control, and healthy lifestyle choices, consistent eye care provides the foundation for preserving vision throughout life.
Focused Eye Care has been recognized as the “Best Optometrist” in the greater Nashua area and the greater Merrimack and Souhegan Valley region, reflecting our commitment to exceptional care. Whether you have been recently diagnosed with diabetes or have been managing the condition for years, establishing a relationship with our experienced team ensures your vision receives the attention it deserves. Schedule your comprehensive eye exam today at one of our convenient locations in Nashua or Milford.
