Diabetes doesn’t just affect your blood sugar—it can lead to serious vision problems, too. At Alpine Vision, we help patients in Colorado Springs stay ahead of diabetic eye complications with personalized care and advanced diagnostic services.
Here’s what you need to know about how diabetes impacts your eyes, and how you can protect your vision.
How Does Diabetes Affect Your Eyes?
High blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels in your eyes, particularly those in the retina—the part of your eye that sends visual information to your brain. This damage may cause:
- Blurry or distorted vision
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Floating spots in your vision
- Progressive vision loss
Often, these changes begin without noticeable symptoms. That’s why routine diabetic eye exams are essential to detect early signs of trouble.
What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetes-related eye disease. It occurs when damaged blood vessels leak fluid or blood into the retina, potentially leading to vision loss or blindness.
It develops in two stages:
- Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR): Small blood vessels leak or close off.
- Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR): New, fragile vessels form and may bleed or scar the retina.
Many patients experience no symptoms until vision is already at risk. Early detection through a retinal exam is the key to preventing long-term damage.
What Other Vision Problems Are Linked to Diabetes?
In addition to retinopathy, diabetes increases your risk for:
- Diabetic macular edema (DME): Swelling of the macula, the area of central vision
- Cataracts: Clouding of the eye's lens, occurring earlier and progressing faster in diabetics
- Glaucoma: Pressure-related damage to the optic nerve, which can silently steal vision
At Alpine Vision, we use advanced diagnostic technology to detect these issues early and manage them effectively.
How Often Should Someone with Diabetes See an Eye Doctor?
Guidelines from the American Diabetes Association recommend:
- Type 1 Diabetes: First eye exam within five years of diagnosis
- Type 2 Diabetes: Eye exam at diagnosis
- Pregnant women with diabetes: Exam before or early in pregnancy
After your initial visit, you should schedule an annual comprehensive eye exam. Depending on your eye health, your doctor may recommend more frequent monitoring.
What to Expect During a Diabetic Eye Exam
A diabetic eye exam involves much more than a basic vision test. At Alpine Vision, we perform:
- Dilated eye exams to examine the retina and optic nerve
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) to assess the retina's layers
- Wide-field retinal imaging to document and monitor blood vessel health
- Specialty testing if early signs of disease are detected
Our specialty testing services help identify subtle changes before they affect your vision.
Can Diabetic Vision Loss Be Prevented?
Yes. In most cases, vision loss from diabetic eye conditions is preventable with early diagnosis and ongoing care. Key steps include:
- Controlling blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol
- Sticking to your treatment plan
- Quitting smoking
- Scheduling regular diabetic eye exams
- Reporting any changes in your vision immediately
Our doctors at Alpine Vision collaborate with your primary care provider or endocrinologist to support your overall health and eye care.
What If You Notice Sudden Vision Changes?
If you experience any of the following, contact us right away:
- Blurred or distorted vision
- New floaters or flashes of light
- Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Dark spots or blank areas in your field of vision
These can be signs of a medical emergency, such as retinal detachment or advanced retinopathy.
Why Choose Alpine Vision in Colorado Springs for Diabetic Eye Care?
At Alpine Vision, we offer specialized diabetic eye care for patients across Colorado Springs and surrounding communities. Our eye care team provides:
- Personalized treatment plans
- State-of-the-art retinal imaging
- Expertise in managing diabetic eye conditions
- Compassionate care tailored to your needs
We’re proud to serve patients from our convenient locations in Colorado Springs and beyond. Whether you're newly diagnosed or managing diabetes long-term, we're here to protect your vision at every stage.
Schedule Your Diabetic Eye Exam Today
Protect your eyesight—don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Schedule your diabetic eye exam at Alpine Vision in Colorado Springs today.
You can book online or call our office to set up your appointment. Early detection is the key to lifelong vision.