Diabetic Eye Exams | Cowichan Eyecare

Protect Your Vision, Protect Your Health

Living with diabetes means taking proactive steps to care for your health, including your eyes. At Cowichan Eyecare, we offer comprehensive diabetic eye exams designed to monitor, detect, and manage vision changes before they become serious.

We use high-resolution imaging technology to get an in-depth look at your eyes and monitor any changes. Our compassionate, knowledgeable team is here to help you take care of your eyes for the future, and is happy to share information or advice on ways to manage your visual health with diabetes.

Because of the numerous eye health risks associated with this disease, patients with diabetes or prediabetes should have their eyes examined at least once per year. Don’t take any chances with your eye health. Contact us to schedule your eye exam today.

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Why Are Diabetic Eye Exams Important?

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada. But that is only one of the eye issues patients with diabetes are at risk of developing.

Diabetes can increase the risk of developing other eye issues, such as:

Glaucoma
Diabetic macular edema
Diabetic retinopathy
Early-onset cataracts

Most eye diseases do not display symptoms in their early stages, which means that many patients don’t realize something is wrong until they have already experienced vision loss. Learn more about diabetic eye disease and other common conditions.

What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetes-related eye disease. It occurs when high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina, leading to bleeding, swelling, or scarring that can permanently affect your vision.

In more advanced cases, it can lead to diabetic macular edema, which causes swelling in the central part of the retina responsible for sharp vision. These conditions often progress without symptoms initially, which is why consistent monitoring is crucial.

How We Support Your Eye Health

At Cowichan Eyecare, we use noninvasive imaging to catch even the earliest signs of eye disease:

optomap: Offers a wide-angle view of the retina without the need for dilation drops, making exams more comfortable and efficient.
OCT (optical coherence tomography): Provides detailed, cross-sectional images of the retina, helping us monitor for subtle changes and guide appropriate treatment plans.

These tools allow us to detect signs of diabetic eye disease, often before you notice symptoms, so that we can take action early.

Manage, Treat, & Protect

If we detect signs of diabetic retinopathy or other complications, our team will work closely with you to monitor changes, recommend lifestyle adjustments, and refer you to a specialist when necessary. Ongoing care and early management can significantly reduce the risk of vision loss.

With clinics in Langford, Duncan, Chemainus, Cobble Hill, and Lake Cowichan, we offer easy access to eye care close to home. We’re here when you need us most! Contact us to schedule your next eye exam today.

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