Why do diabetics need regular eye examinations? Unfortunately, some people with diabetes lose vision, usually due to damage at the back of the eye called diabetic retinopathy. If we wait for this to happen, it often cannot be fully rectified. The good news is that there are clues at the back of the eye which are like warning signs. If we detect these warning signs, 90% of vision loss from diabetes can be avoided. As a result, national guidelines recommend that people with diabetes have their eyes examined annually, specifically to look for these warning signs. When we see someone with diabetes, a special test is performed to carefully examine the retina at the back of the eye, looking for leakages of blood or other fluids. Eye drops to dilate the pupil are used, so we get the best possible view. I also do a CT scan of the macula to check for another diabetes related vision problem called macular edema. Afterwards we write to the patient's GP with our findings. Tony Ireland Evolve Optometry Shop G03, Village Centre, Batemans Bay | 4472 8080 www.evolveoptometry.com.au evolve OPTOMETRY AW7405447 Why do diabetics need regular eye examinations ? Unfortunately , some people with diabetes lose vision , usually due to damage at the back of the eye called diabetic retinopathy . If we wait for this to happen , it often cannot be fully rectified . The good news is that there are clues at the back of the eye which are like warning signs . If we detect these warning signs , 90 % of vision loss from diabetes can be avoided . As a result , national guidelines recommend that people with diabetes have their eyes examined annually , specifically to look for these warning signs . When we see someone with diabetes , a special test is performed to carefully examine the retina at the back of the eye , looking for leakages of blood or other fluids . Eye drops to dilate the pupil are used , so we get the best possible view . I also do a CT scan of the macula to check for another diabetes related vision problem called macular edema . Afterwards we write to the patient's GP with our findings . Tony Ireland Evolve Optometry Shop G03 , Village Centre , Batemans Bay | 4472 8080 www.evolveoptometry.com.au evolve OPTOMETRY AW7405447