Patient Portal
Online Payment
Doctor Referral
Financing
If you have diabetes, an annual dilated eye exam is one of the highest-value hours you can spend on your health. Diabetic retinopathy, the damage high blood sugar does to the small blood vessels in the retina, typically causes no pain and no early symptoms. By the time vision blurs, the disease has usually been present for a while.
What the exam involves
Your pupils are dilated with drops so the retina can be examined fully. Imaging is often used to document the retina and to compare year over year. The visit is straightforward, but you will be light sensitive for a few hours, so bring sunglasses and plan for a driver if dilation bothers you.
What we are actually looking for
- Microaneurysms, tiny bulges in retinal blood vessels that are often the earliest sign
- Hemorrhages, small areas of bleeding within the retina
- Exudates, deposits that leak from damaged vessels
- Macular edema, swelling in the central retina, which is the most common cause of vision loss in diabetes
- New abnormal blood vessels, which are fragile and can bleed
- Cataract and glaucoma risk, both more common with diabetes
Why yearly, even when your vision is fine
Treatment for diabetic retinopathy works best before vision is affected. Options including injections, laser treatment and tighter systemic control can slow or stabilize the disease. Once central vision has been lost for a long period, restoring it is much harder.
Yearly screening is the standard recommendation for most patients with diabetes, and more often if retinopathy is already present or if you are pregnant. Our diabetic eye care page covers what we treat, and a retina specialist is in the building if you need one.
What helps between exams
Blood sugar control, blood pressure control and not smoking are the three factors with the strongest evidence behind them. None of them are quick fixes, and all of them reduce risk over time.
Frequently asked questions
My primary care doctor did a retinal photo. Is that enough?
Retinal photography is a useful screening tool and catches a lot. A dilated exam still allows a more complete view, especially of the peripheral retina, and lets the doctor evaluate the lens and optic nerve at the same time.
Does type 2 diabetes need screening right away?
Yes. Type 2 diabetes is often present for years before diagnosis, so screening usually begins at diagnosis rather than later.
Is treatment painful?
Injections are given after numbing drops and most patients describe pressure rather than pain. Laser treatment is generally well tolerated in the office.
Due for your diabetic eye exam?
Book an appointment online with St. Michael’s Eye & Laser Institute in Largo, or call (727) 202-2020. We have cared for Tampa Bay families since 1961.
