Diabetic Eye Exams | Aurora Eye Care

Our Focus Is on Alberta

Diabetes is a serious health concern in our province.

About 15% of Alberta’s population lives with prediabetes, and another 8% lives with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes—both of which can increase the risk of several eye diseases.

Using an array of diagnostic technologies, Aurora Eye Care is proud to help Albertans find ways to preserve their eye health and prevent vision loss. If you have diabetes, please get in touch with us today to book your regular eye exam.

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Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Assessing eye disease is completed in part with quality optometry and the diagnostic technology we use. At Aurora Eye Care, our optical coherence tomography (OCT) takes a deep look into the health of your eyes.

This noninvasive technology uses light to take high-resolution images of the layers in your retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye that provides the images you see to your brain. We use the OCT to detect potential eye diseases, especially those related to people with diabetes, before they begin permanently impacting your sight.Our optometrists view and evaluate the results of the OCT to assess the health of your retina. Your eyes may be dilated prior to this examination to provide a clearer view of the back of your eye.

Diabetes Increases the Risk of Eye Disease

If you have diabetes, The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends having an eye exam every year.

Diabetes is a systemic health condition that affects how your body manages sugar in your bloodstream. High blood sugar can lead to many health issues, including some that affect your eyes.

Some diabetes-related eye diseases can develop without noticeable symptoms for years. By having annual eye exams, our team can detect these issues and find strategies to preserve your eye health.

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Our mission is to detect potential issues and preserve your vision. We’re proud to offer comprehensive eye exams that take a deep look at your eye health—specifically your retinal health when you have diabetes—and the issues that may affect it.

Diagnostic Technology

We can observe your retina using various technologies. During your eye exam, we may use devices like:

These devices can help detect signs of several eye diseases, including those related to diabetes.

Potential Eye Diseases & Conditions

One of the most common eye diseases associated with diabetes is diabetic retinopathy.

This disease occurs when high blood sugar levels affect the blood vessels in your retina, causing them to bulge, break, and leak fluids. Leaking fluids can damage your retina, leading to permanent vision loss.

In advanced cases, your retina may create abnormal blood vessels to help compensate for fluid loss. However, these vessels can also break, forming scar tissue and increasing the risk of retinal detachment.

Diabetic retinopathy isn’t the only disease connected to diabetes. You may also have a higher risk of developing:

Contact our team immediately if you have diabetes and experience blurry vision, flashes of light, floaters, or sudden vision loss.

Treating Potential Issues

Managing diabetes with the help of your physician is the first step towards preventing diabetes-related eye diseases. However, we may recommend the following treatments or management strategies if you’re diagnosed with an eye disease:

Anti-VEGF injection
Laser surgery
Corticosteroid
Vitrectomy

Your Vision Is Important to Us

If you have diabetes, we’re here to help preserve your vision. Please contact us today to book an appointment at any of our practices in Grande Prairie, Jasper, and Edson.