Diabetes

Diabetic Eye Disease Specialists in Colorado

Annual Diabetic Eye Exams

Patients whose vision is at high risk for impairment, including people with diabetes, should never wait until symptoms present themselves to receive an eye exam. Most of the eye conditions that can present themselves as a result of diabetes are progressive, meaning they can get worse the longer they’re left untreated. Preventive care -- like the kind we provide at Haas Vision Center -- is vital for diabetic patients to keep their eyes healthy and catch diabetic eye diseases in their early stages.

The team at Haas Vision Center are experienced in performing annual diabetic eye exams, which are specifically designed to seek out and catch early signs of diabetic eye diseases in order to treat them quickly and prevent long-term damage to your eyes. 

Here’s how an annual diabetic exam works:

• Dr. Haas or Dr. Davis will dilate your eyes in order to examine your retinas for signs of retinopathy.
• The specialists will gauge your eye pressure, looking for signs of glaucoma.
• Your vision will be examined to determine your need for corrective lenses
• The physicians will perform an overall exam to determine any other unrelated needs you may have.

As the title suggests, Dr. Haas and Dr. Davis recommend that patients living with diabetes receive an eye exam on a yearly basis in order to prevent the onset of serious eye conditions. 

Experienced Diabetic Retinopathy Specialists  

Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the primary conditions Dr. Haas and Dr. Davis will check for during your diabetic eye exam, and for good reason. Retinopathy is one of the most common negative effects diabetes can have on the eyes. In the rear of your eyes exists very delicate tissue filled with blood vessels. This tissue is highly sensitive to light. If your blood sugar becomes too high due to diabetes, these blood vessels can become damaged, damaging those tissues and causing symptoms that include:

• Blurry vision
• Inconsistent vision
• Spots in your line of sight, known as “floaters”
• Blocked or dark areas in your vision

If diabetic retinopathy is allowed to persist without treatment, it can even result in complete vision loss that is impossible to reverse. This is why it’s so important to have your eyes checked annually if you’re living with diabetes, and to receive the treatment you need for diabetic retinopathy as soon as it presents itself.

At Haas Vision Center, we will closely monitor early-stage retinopathy in your eyes and help you manage your diabetes in order to prevent diabetic retinopathy from developing.

If we determine that you do need treatment, Dr. Haas and Dr. Davis can refer you to Retinal Consultant of Southern Colorado, where you can receive:

• Closely monitoring early-stage retinopathy and managing diabetes
• Injections of medication known as “vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors” which prevent the growth of new blood vessels and the buildup of fluid in your affected eyes
• A surgical procedure known as vitrectomy in which Dr. Haas or Dr. Davis will remove blood and scar tissue from the middle of your eye
• Laser treatments, including photocoagulation and panretinal photocoagulation, which can slow leaks of blood and fluid or minimize abnormal blood vessels in your eyes

When you have your consultation at Haas Vision Center, Dr. Haas or Dr. Davis will work closely with you to answer all of your questions and help you determine the best course of action for your condition and symptoms.