Diabetic Eye Exams in Winnipeg

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the tiny blood vessels in the eye are weakened, causing them to swell, rupture, and leak into the field of vision. New, abnormal blood vessels can grow, or the blood vessels can close off completely, depriving the eye of blood and oxygen.

Diabetic retinopathy can lead to significant changes in your ocular health and vision, and if left untreated, can even lead to blindness.

Diabetic macular edema (DME) often occurs as a result of untreated diabetic retinopathy. Macular edema occurs when a build-up of fluid around the central-most part of the retina, called the macula. The fluid causes the macula to swell and thicken, distorting vision.

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye diseases that damage and weaken the optic nerve. Diabetes can cause unregulated spikes in blood pressure, which can lead to elevated intraocular pressure. High IOP is often related to the optic nerve damage characteristic of glaucoma. People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop glaucoma for this reason.

Cataracts occur when the clear lens in the eye begins to cloud over. Those with diabetes are twice as likely to develop cataracts. Researchers have thought that unregulated glucose levels characteristic of diabetes cause deposits to build up in the lenses of the eyes, creating blurred vision.

Fundus photography involves a fundus camera, a low power specialized microscope with an attached camera to photograph and document the back of the eye. Photographs are kept on file to help monitor any changes to the retina, optic nerve, or other inner workings of the eye.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive imaging technology used to take high-resolution cross-sectional images of the retina. We can examine them to differentiate layers and measure their thickness.