Diabetes Eye Exams at EyeCare Associates in Alabama
Visit Our Alabama Diabetic Eye Doctors
There are over half a million people in Alabama that have either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. This is roughly 15% of the State’s population. Diabetes can be very aggressive to the body, including the eyes. If you have diabetes, you may want to schedule annual routine eye exams.
Individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing certain eye diseases. Including diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma. These eye diseases can lead to vision problems and even blindness if left untreated. It is important for people with diabetes to schedule regular eye exams to help prevent and treat oncoming eye diseases. Comprehensive eye exams for diabetic patients are a vital part of your overall health. While many eye conditions and diseases can have little to no symptoms before they become serious.
At EyeCare Associates, our highly skilled doctors use the latest technology to conduct comprehensive eye exams for individuals with diabetes. This can make it easy to diagnose and treat eye disease.
What Are the Signs of a Diabetic Eye Disease?
In the early stages of diabetic eye disease, there are often no signs present. A patient can experience no pain or vision loss while the disease begins. If a disease doesn't cause pain, vision loss, or other noticeable symptoms early on, it can be difficult to detect.
As the diabetic eye disease progresses, a patient may experience:
Blurred vision
Dark spots or floaters
Flashes of light
Frequent headaches
Light sensitivity
Poor color or night vision
Permanent or temporary vision loss
If you have diabetes, we recommend scheduling an eye exam as soon as possible before any unusual vision problems occur.
Diabetic Eye Exams from Alabama Eye Doctors
Diabetes-related eye conditions often do not present symptoms until significant damage has been caused to a patient’s eyes. If you have Type 1 diabetes, our experts recommend having an eye exam within five years of being diagnosed. If you have Type 2 diabetes, we recommend having an exam immediately. Type 2 diabetics may have had diabetes for a while without knowing it, and their eyesight could already be affected. Early detection is critical when it comes to diabetic eye diseases.
Diabetes & How It Affects Eye Health
High blood pressure in diabetic patients can lead to blockages and damage to the small blood vessels in the retinas. Diabetic eye disease can cause swelling and detachment of the retina, resulting in partial vision loss and blindness. To keep your eyesight from getting worse, keep your blood sugar levels under control, eat healthily, and get regular exercise.
The eye doctors at EyeCare Associates help patients with diabetes by giving them regular eye exams. This helps to prevent vision loss and manage diabetic eye conditions.
Find an Alabama Diabetic Eye Doctor Near You
At EyeCare Associates, we recommend anyone with diabetes schedule an annual comprehensive eye exam immediately.
Routine eye exams are important for maintaining your overall eye health. Many eye conditions do not have symptoms before they become serious, so regular exams are essential for catching problems early. Our optometrists can help prevent, diagnose, and treat diabetic eye conditions that can cause vision loss by seeing patients regularly. Schedule an appointment for a diabetic eye exam today!
Frequently Asked Questions about Diabetic Eye Exams
Many patients with diabetic eye diseases do not exhibit noticeable symptoms or vision problems until the disease has progressed. Regular eye exams are extremely important for diagnosing patients early so treatment can begin and prevent any possible vision loss. A diabetic eye exam is important for preventing diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema.
Diabetic patients may be charged anywhere from $50.00 to $200.00 for an eye exam, depending on several factors. The cost of the exam can vary between a first-time and an established patient. An eye exam that results in the diagnosis of diabetic eye disease may include additional charges. Contact your insurance provider to see if vision insurance covers all or part of the cost of a diabetic eye exam.
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers eye exams for diabetic retinopathy once each year and a patient pays 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the eye care service and the applicable copayment. Depending on eligibility, Medicaid vision care covers eye exams and glaucoma testing. These preventative eye care services are fully covered or offered at low costs for recipients. TRICARE covers routine eye exams and only members of TRICARE Prime are covered for diabetic eye exams once a year.