Protect Your Vision with Diabetic Eye Screenings

The Importance of Diabetic Retinopathy Screening

Diabetes and Your Eyes

Diabetes affects millions of Americans and is one of the leading causes of preventable vision loss. High blood sugar levels can damage the delicate blood vessels in the back of the eye, leading to a condition called diabetic retinopathy. Unfortunately, this disease often progresses silently—patients may not notice any vision changes until significant damage has occurred.

That’s why routine diabetic eye exams are essential. At Holmdel Eye Center, Dr. Ahmed Abdelhady provides comprehensive screenings to detect early signs of retinopathy and protect your vision.

What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar damages the tiny vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue that allows you to see. Over time, these vessels may leak fluid, swell, or close off entirely, leading to blurred vision, floaters, or even blindness if untreated.

There are two main stages:

• Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR): Early stage, often without symptoms.
• Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR): Advanced stage, where abnormal blood vessels grow and increase the risk of severe vision loss.

Why Screening Matters

The most important fact to know is this: early detection saves vision.

• Regular eye exams can catch retinopathy before you notice any symptoms.
• Timely treatment reduces the risk of blindness by up to 95%.
• Screening also helps monitor other diabetes-related eye problems, such as diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma.

What to Expect During Your Exam

A diabetic eye exam at Holmdel Eye Center includes:

• A review of your medical and diabetes history
• A dilated retinal exam to carefully check the back of your eye
• Advanced imaging tests, when needed, to detect early changes invisible to the naked eye

These screenings are quick, painless, and one of the most important steps you can take to protect your sight.

How Often Should You Be Screened?

The American Diabetes Association recommends:

• Adults with type 1 diabetes: First exam within 5 years of diagnosis, then yearly.
• Adults with type 2 diabetes: Exam at the time of diagnosis, then yearly.
• Pregnant women with diabetes: Exam before pregnancy or in the first trimester, with close follow-up.

Protecting Your Vision for the Future

At Holmdel Eye Center, we are dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care for patients living with diabetes. Dr. Ahmed Abdelhady is a board-certified ophthalmologist fellowship-trained in cornea and external disease, with advanced expertise in detecting and treating diabetic eye conditions.

Your vision is too valuable to risk—make diabetic eye screenings a regular part of your health routine.