Diabetic Eye Exams in Calgary

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A Close Look at Diabetic Eye Health

Diabetes is a condition where your body canโ€™t properly regulate blood sugar, which interferes with normal body function and can damage organsโ€”including your eyes. When diabetes causes too much sugar in the blood, it can damage the retina and blood vessels in your eye. If undiagnosed, the symptoms of diabetic eye disease can result in significant changes to your eye health, including diabetic retinopathy.

Some of the symptoms include:

If you have diabetes or experience any symptoms, schedule an appointment with Dr. Bishop & Associates. Early diagnosis is the best method of protecting your vision and ocular health.

How Diabetes Affects Eyes

Diabetes can affect eye health in many ways and lead to multiple eye conditions. 

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition affecting the blood vessels in your eye. Early-stage symptoms often seem minor or go undetected. During later stages, blood vessels in the retina bleed, leaking into the vitreous (fluid filling in your eye). The leak can sometimes cause floaters (seeing spots or strings).

When undiagnosed, the condition leads to vision loss or blindness. If damage progresses, it can lead to additional eye problems, including diabetic macular edema and glaucoma.

Diabetic macular edema (DME) results from untreated diabetic retinopathy. Damage to blood vessels in the retina causes leaking, resulting in fluid entering the macula. The macula is responsible for sharp, straight-ahead vision. The excess fluid causes swelling, interfering with sight.

DME typically include symptoms:

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in Canada. The eye condition damages the optic nerve, which translates signals from our eye to our brain. If our eye experiences too much intraocular pressure, typically because of improper fluid drainage, the pressure can cause nerve damage.

If eye damage caused by diabetes progresses, it can develop into neovascular glaucoma. Abnormal blood vessel growth from the retina blocks fluid from draining and increases pressure in your eye.

Glaucoma is treatable and has better outcomes with earlier intervention.

As damage accumulates, scar tissue builds in the back of your eye. The increasing scar tissue can slowly pull the retina from the back of your eye. Eventually, the scars can dislodge your retina, known as tractional retinal detachment.

Symptoms of retinal detachment include:

  • Blurry vision
  • Flashes of light
  • Floaters (increased frequency or amount)
  • Dark shadow or curtain over peripheral (side) or central vision

Any type of retinal detachment is a medical emergency, and you should seek attention immediately.

A cataract is a cloudy area or spot in the usually transparent lens of the eye. Cataracts can appear in one or both eyes. The affected lens area might be small with minimal vision changes, or it can cover a larger area and cause significant vision changes.

Cataract symptoms include:

  • Blurry or cloudy vision
  • Dull colour vision
  • Light sensitivity
  • Halos around lights
  • Decreased night vision
  • Feeling a film over the eye

Treatment options vary according to cataract size, eye health, and comfort. Your optometrist may prescribe corrective lenses or recommend surgical removal.

Our Diagnostic Technology

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) allows us to look at eye structure, even the tiniest details, including blood vessels and capillaries. The imaging is noninvasive and can be very helpful in tracking minor changes in eye health.

Optos Ultra-Widefield 200ยฐ optomap provides an anatomically accurate view of 82% of your retina. The more of your retina we can see accurately, the better we understand your eye health and can manage changes.

The iCare Eidon is a confocal fundus imaging system with multiple modes for better colour and contrast. The scan allows your optometrist to visualize tissue depth and see a 3D reconstruction of eye sections. The noninvasive process is dilation-free.

Managing Diabetic Eye Disease

The treatment or management options we recommend will vary depending on your eye condition, health, and comfort level. For example, some management includes lifestyle habits for managing blood sugar or blood pressure. Other treatments may involve prescription eyewear or laser eye surgery.

Diabetes increases your risk of developing eye conditions, making regular eye exams more crucial to your eye health. Prevent vision loss by advocating for your health.

If you experience symptoms, talk to your optometrist and health care team. Preventing worsening symptoms and protecting your vision is a team effort. Weโ€™re on your side, and weโ€™re here to support your eye care and vision needs.

Book an appointment with Dr. Bishop & Associates for regular diabetic eye exams.

Our Locations

You deserve the highest standard of eye care. Our 4 locations make it easy for you to receive quality eye care, no matter where you live.

Willow Park Village

  • 575 – 10816 Macleod Trail SE
  • Calgary, AB T2J 5N8

Legacy Township

  • 230 – 200 Hartell Way SE
  • Calgary, AB T2X 4S9

Beacon Hill

  • 615 – 11877 Sarcee Trail NW
  • Calgary, AB T3R 1W5

Northgate Village

  • 103 – 495 36 St NE
  • Calgary, AB T2A 6K3

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