Diabetes can silently threaten your eyesight long before you notice any visual symptoms. At The Eye Center of Virginia, we see firsthand how early detection and proactive care can protect your long-term vision. If you or a loved one is living with diabetes, scheduling routine diabetic eye exams in Williamsburg, VA is one of the most important things you can do to safeguard your sight.

How Diabetes Affects Your Eyes

High blood sugar levels can damage the tiny blood vessels throughout the body, and your eyes are especially vulnerable. Over time, uncontrolled or fluctuating blood glucose can lead to inflammation, vessel leakage, and irreversible harm to essential structures inside the eye.

Diabetic Retinopathy: The Most Common Threat

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when elevated blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the retina - the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of your eye. As the disease progresses, vessels weaken, leak fluid or blood, or become blocked, preventing the retina from functioning properly. In advanced stages, new fragile vessels form, which can bleed suddenly and severely.

Symptoms may include:

• Blurry or fluctuating vision
• Dark or empty spots in your central vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Sudden vision loss

Unfortunately, diabetic retinopathy can develop without any noticeable symptoms, which is why consistent monitoring is essential.

Diabetic Macular Edema (DME): A Leading Cause of Vision Loss

The macula is the part of your retina responsible for sharp, detailed central vision. When blood vessels leak fluid into this area due to diabetes, the macula swells - a condition known as diabetic macular edema. DME can make activities like reading, driving, and recognizing faces difficult. Without treatment, it can cause permanent central vision loss.

Cataracts

People with diabetes tend to develop cataracts earlier and more aggressively. Elevated glucose can cause the eye’s lens to become cloudy, affecting clarity and brightness. While cataract surgery is a highly successful solution, diabetes increases your risk of complications if the condition isn’t well controlled.

Glaucoma Risk Increases

Diabetes doubles your risk of glaucoma, a disease that damages the optic nerve - often because of increased eye pressure. Glaucoma typically shows no early symptoms, making routine screenings critical for timely diagnosis.

How Diabetic Eye Exams Protect Your Vision

A diabetic eye exam is more detailed than a standard vision exam. At The Eye Center of Virginia, we use advanced diagnostic technology to detect early changes long before you experience symptoms.

Your diabetic eye exam may include:

• Dilated retinal evaluation
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans
• Retinal photography
• Monitoring of blood vessel health
• Screening for cataracts and glaucoma

When caught early, most diabetes-related eye diseases can be managed successfully—and in many cases, vision loss can be prevented.

Protect Your Sight at The Eye Center of Virginia

Diabetes may pose serious threats to your eye health, but you’re not powerless against it. With early detection, regular monitoring, and expert care, many diabetes-related eye issues are preventable. Our focus is on providing comprehensive diabetic eye care in Williamsburg, VA, to ensure your eyes stay as healthy as possible.

Contact The Eye Center of Virginia to schedule a diabetic eye exam and take control of your long-term eye health. Visit our office in Williamsburg, Virginia, or call (757) 919-3500 to book an appointment.