Diabetic Eye Exam
Get tested for diabetic retinopathy
with some of the best optometrists in Miami
Diabetic Eye Exam in North Miami
Diabetes is one of the most commonly occurring illnesses around the world. Complications from diabetes are one of the leading causes of blindness in working adults in the United States. For these reasons, everyone who has been diagnosed with the condition needs to get tested for diabetic retinopathy.
At Dr Gilberg and Associates, we offer comprehensive and routine diabetic retinopathy tests to make sure that you aren’t at risk for the condition.
The Pathology of Diabetic Retinopathy
Your eyes are two of the most sensitive organs you possess, in that they are easily affected by any unhealthy imbalance in the body. Diabetic Retinopathy occurs when blood vessels begin to leak fluids and cause the retinal tissue to swell. The leaks occur because consistently high blood sugar weakens blood vessels and the resulting damage compromises the integrity of the vessel walls.
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As the condition progresses, you begin to lose vision. The condition is not acute and many patients are asymptomatic at first; however over time, you could begin experiencing vision loss. By then it’s usually much more difficult to reverse the damage, so it’s better to get tested regularly to avoid permanent vision loss.
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If you diabetes stays uncontrolled for long periods of time, you could develop diabetic retinopathy which includes Diabetic Macular Edema; which is characterized by an accumulation of fluids in the central part of your vision
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Diagnostic Procedure
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Diabetic Retinopathy can be detected through various testing procedures that include:
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Visual Acuity Testing: Involves using an eye chart to see if the vision is impaired.
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iris observation: to rule out iris neovascularization
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Dilated fungus exam: This is the mainstay of a diabetic evaluation : direct observation of retinal changes
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Optical Coherence Tomography: Capturing a scanner of the retina to look for fluids
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Flurorescein Angiography: a dye is injected into the venous system to assess leakage of blood vessels and retinal areas of non-perfusion
Through these tests, your doctor checks for the following signs:
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Changes in the structure of blood vessels.
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Leaking from the vessels.
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Swelling in the Macula
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neo-vessels formation
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Damage to the tissues in the optical nerve
Depending on the findings your doctor will assess whether or no you have diabetic retinopathy and give give the stage of the disease.
Treatments For Diabetic Retinopathy
There are no non-invasive
When we see diabetic retinopathy, one of the goals is to prevent further complication. A tight blood sugar control is recommended to the patient, and results are communicated to the treating physician who may elect to adjust glycemic control.
Mild to moderate non proliferative diabetic retinopathy is generally observed and left untreated. Once your retinal specialist start seeing, a lot of areas with poor blood supply, or signs of proliferative retinopathy, or diabetic macular edema, he will most likely elect to treat you.
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Options to treat Diabetic Retinopathy depend on the situation
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Laser can be used to destroy areas of non perfusion (poor blood supply), and/or inject the eye with medication to limit the growth of new blood vessels.
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Your doctor will ask you to come in for follow-up procedures to check whether the treatment is effective.
Dr Gilberg and associates work with the most experienced ophthalmologists (retinal specialists) to refer patients when the need arise to ensure you get the best care in North Miami. Call us today for more information on our services.