Did you know that your optometrist can spot the early signs of Diabetes when conducting a comprehensive eye exam? It’s true!
Nearly one million Canadians are living with undiagnosed Diabetes and another 3.3 million or so are living with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes. Left unchecked and untreated, or poorly managed, Diabetes can lead to serious eye disease.
Over time, Diabetes can cause damage to your vision and even lead to blindness. In Canada, Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness. In addition, people with diabetes are more likely to have cataracts appear at a younger age and are at twice the risk for developing glaucoma.
The Answer: Regular Eye Exams
Regular eye exams are always a smart choice and will help to avoid unnecessary complications from disease with early diagnosis. An exam with our optometrists can lead to early detection of both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, and can also help to reveal the effects of poor disease management in individuals living with Diabetes.
A quick sight test or screening test (undertaken by a non-doctor) will not help to uncover these issues.
A comprehensive eye exam can only be performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. It includes an examination of the tiny structures inside of your eyes, including a close-up look at your blood vessels, optic nerves, and other complex eye structures with a high-powered microscope. Any of these may hold clues to conditions that could pose a serious risk to your health, such as Diabetes.
Ready to schedule your next eye exam?
Our doctors of optometry offer comprehensive eye exams and other services at our Almonte location and our Gloucester location. Call today or request an appointment online:
- Almonte – Request an Appointment
- Gloucester – Request an Appointment
Please remember that during the COVID-19 pandemic, appointments are required for any type of visit to our clinics, and we are taking many special measures.
Photo by Zazen Koan on Unsplash