Diabetes is a serious systemic disease. As of 2019, 1 in 3 Canadians either has diabetes or is at risk of developing diabetes.
Long known for its link to vision issues, diabetes is currently the leading cause of blindness in Canada. At Dr. Zargar Eyecare, we strongly recommend that our patients with diabetes book annual eye exams so we can keep a close eye on their ocular health.
Our diabetic eye exams are similar to our comprehensive adult eye exams but include more rigorous levels of testing to ensure we can keep ahead of your condition and spot problems before they occur.
We pride ourselves in gathering the most comprehensive data possible so we can detect issues and protect your vision to the best of our abilities. Our state-of-the-art equipment includes specialized fundus cameras to photograph the back of the eye, as well as technology such as the Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer, which accurately measures central and peripheral vision.
When there is too much sugar in the blood, the body becomes highly susceptible to a range of complicated eye diseases. Some of these serious conditions include age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma.
However, there are two diseases that are exclusive to patients with diabetes. If they are not detected and treated, these conditions can be detrimental to healthy, clear vision.
Over time, high blood sugar levels can cause the blood vessels in the retina to break down, resulting in fluid and blood leaking into the eye cavity. To compensate, the body tries to replace and regenerate these damaged blood vessels, but these new vessels are often weak and irregularly shaped. These abnormal vessels cause retinal scarring, which can lead to significant vision loss or even blindness.
If diabetic retinopathy remains undiagnosed and continues to develop, it will eventually evolve into diabetic macular edema, an even more serious form of eye disease. The retinal vessels become more damaged, continuing to leak blood and fluid, which causes the macula (the part of the eye responsible for central vision) to swell. When this happens, it can lead to compromised vision and even blindness.
Dr. Zargar Eyecare
