Save Your Vision- Get These Tests Done!

“See you later.” It’s a simple phrase you’ve probably used thousands of times after meeting up with family and friends. But if your vision starts to fade, “seeing” won’t be the same. If you have diabetes, you’re at risk for diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness. That’s why getting your vision checked at least once a year is so important, according to the National Institutes of Health. Early detection of vision problems can help prevent blindness and slow vision loss related to diabetes. Read on to understand the importance of different vision tests.

If you have diabetes, ask your doctor about these vision tests:

Dilated Eye Exam

This is the most common eye exam used to evaluate vision for diabetics. Special drops are used to dilate your pupils. This helps the doctor get a better look at your eye, retina, and optic nerve, with specialized magnification tools to check for problems.

Visual Acuity Test

The Visual Acuity Test, created by the International Council of Ophthalmology, is probably the eye exam most people are familiar with. You cover one eye and read the smallest letters visible to you on the chart. Your vision is scored or measured based on your responses.

Tonometry Test

A tonometry test is commonly used to check for glaucoma, a disease that damage the optical nerve and lead to blindness. In a recent study, researchers found that people with diabetes were 35 percent more likely to develop glaucoma than those without diabetes. The tonometry test allows your doctor to measure the pressure inside your eyes.

Gonioscopy

This is also a commonly used test to check for glaucoma. A gonioscopy allows your doctor to check for fluid build-up that can damage your eyes.

Fluorescein Angiogram

If you have blurred or distorted vision, your doctor may recommend a fluorescein angiogram. But before your doctor examines your eyes as part of this test, you’ll first get a special dye injected into your arm. Then your doctor will watch for the dye to pass through the blood vessels of your retina. The test helps identify leaking blood vessels that could be the source of vision problems.

There are some of the most common vision tests that health professionals recommend for diabetics. If you have diabetes, visiting your eye doctor at least once a year is important. And if you notice any changes in your vision, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.