Eye Exams - Diabetes
Cost: Dilation Paid by Alberta Health Care
Frequency: Every 6-12 Months
Diabetes eye testing may be combined with your routine eye exam, there is no need to book 2 separate appointments.
What is a Diabetic Eye Exam?
A diabetic eye exam takes a routine exam one step further in regards to ocular health. It provides a more in-depth examination of your overall eye health and involves eye drops that temporarily enlarge your pupils, allowing for a better view of your retina with a specialized lens.
A diabetic eye exam provides your optometrist with further insight into things such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, optic nerve disease, retinal vascular disease and other eye conditions commonly associated with diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2).
Your optometrist may also use digital imaging or retinal photography to aid in the examination. But, these tests currently do not replace the 3-dimensional view provided by the dilated exam.
Steps Involved:
Medicated eye drops are administered to enlarge the pupil and take about 20-30 minutes.
These drops will cause your near vision to blur slightly, and eventually, you may notice some distance blur. You may also become more sensitive to light. Depending on the eye drops used by your eye doctor, your vision may remain blurry for 4-6 hours.
Dorky eye doctor fact! People with light-coloured eyes will often react quicker to these eye drops than those with dark-coloured eyes. Their pupils will often dilate more, but the effects of the drops will often wear off quicker, too.
After the exam, we recommend you wait for the effects of the eye drops to diminish or have someone pick you up. It’s a great idea to wear sunglasses after the exam to reduce light sensitivity (we also stock disposable sunglasses in case you forget yours).
Why does a diabetic eye exam matter?
Diabetes affects the blood vessels in your eyes, leading to a condition known as Diabetic Retinopathy. It's estimated that Diabetic Retinopathy affects over 500,000 Canadians and is the most common form of diabetic eye disease. To be blunt, Diabetic Retinopathy is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Canadians under 65, and is also a leading cause in those over 65. A diabetic eye exam is important even if you think your vision is ‘ok’, and can reduce the risk of blindness by 95% according to Diabetes.ca
How often should I get a diabetic eye exam?
You should have your first diabetic eye exam after being diagnosed to get a baseline for your eye health. From this initial appointment, your eye-bar optometrist will help build an exam schedule for you.
Diabetic eye exams once a year are usually recommended in the early stages.
Pregnancy can cause diabetic eye disease to worsen, so talk to your optometrist right away if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You may require more frequent eye exams during your pregnancy because of the fluctuations in blood sugar levels and the increased chance of Diabetic Retinopathy. Although dilated eye exams are generally considered safe during pregnancy, we understand some parents' have concerns and we try to limit the frequency when possible.
Please remember that any change in your vision is never normal and should be evaluated by an optometrist immediately.
Do I need to see a retinal specialist?
No, routine diabetic eye exams should be performed by a primary eye care provider like an optometrist and are covered by Alberta Health Care.
How much does a diabetic eye exam cost?
Cost: Paid by Alberta Health Care*
Frequency: Annually or as Required by Your Eye Doctor
If you have Type 1, Type 2, gestational diabetes or pre-diabetes you should receive regular eye health examinations by an eye-bar optometrist. Diabetes is a leading cause of vision loss amongst Canadians and a risk factor for other eye conditions such as blurred vision, dry eyes, cataracts and glaucoma. Early detection of diabetic eye disease is vital, as early treatment can help prevent further vision loss.
Common eye problems associated with diabetes include:
Diabetic Retinopathy
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Fluctuating Vision or Large Prescription Changes
Dry Eyes
Eye occlusions, blockages, strokes
