Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis

One of the most frightening complications of diabetes is the degenerative eye disease diabetic retinopathy. A diagnosis of this condition can only be made by an experienced ophthalmologist, although there are some signs and symptoms of diabetic retinopathy that patients should be aware of. The following is important information on the four main methods currently used to diagnose diabetic retinopathy.

How is Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosed?

Because the signs and symptoms of diabetic retinopathy are typically not present during the first stage of the disease, it can often go undiagnosed until damage to vision has occurred. This can be prevented with yearly eye exams that include a visual acuity test, pupil dilation, ophthalmoscopy, and tonometry tests. Since the main cause of diabetic retinopathy is uncontrolled blood sugar levels, patients with type I and II diabetes need to be sure that their vision is tested regularly by an ophthalmologist.

Visual Acuity Test

A visual acuity test is one of the first steps an eye care specialist will take toward a diabetic retinopathy diagnosis. This test measures your eyesight at different distances by determining the smallest letter you can read on a standard eye chart. The score of a visual acuity test is expressed as a fraction, with the top number referring to the distance from the chart, and the bottom number referring to the distance at which a person with normal eyesight can read the same line that you correctly read. A score of 20/20 is considered normal, while a score of 20/60 indicates that you can read at 20 feet what a person with normal vision can read at 60 feet.

Pupil Dilation

A pupil dilation test begins by placing special eye drops into the patient’s eye. These drops stimulate the pupil, causing it to widen and allowing the ophthalmologist to check the retina. After the examination, the pupils will remain dilated for a little while longer, and the patient must wear protective sunglasses to prevent overexposure to sunlight.

Ophthalmoscopy

An ophthalmoscopy is a very important part of diabetic retinopathy diagnosis because it allows the ophthalmologist to see the entire back portion of the eyeball, which includes the optic disc, choroid, retina, and blood vessels. The test is a common part of routine eye exams and takes just a few minutes to complete. During the exam, the doctor will beam a bright light through your pupil using an ophthalmoscope, which has a series of rotating lenses through which the back of the eye can be viewed. Because the human eye is a natural magnifier, the ophthalmologist is able to easily see the retina and other parts of the eyeball.

Tonometry

Generally used to detect glaucoma, tonometry measures intraocular pressure (IOP) and can also assist in a diabetic retinopathy diagnosis. There are several different methods of tonometry testing, the most popular being the “air puff” test. During this test, the ophthalmologist uses a special instrument to calculate the IOP by measuring changes in the light reflected off the corneas when the air puff is blown into the eyes. A more specialized form of tomography called optical coherence tomography (OCT) produces an image of the inner structures of the eye to detect macular edema, which is one of the telltale signs of diabetic retinopathy.

Talk to a Doctor in Your Area about Diabetic Retinopathy

Recent studies report that nearly 94 percent of severe vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy can be prevented through early diagnosis. Having yearly eye exams with a specialist is the only way to truly protect yourself from future vision problems and even blindness. By using DocShop’s directory of ophthalmologists, you can locate a skilled doctor in your area today. For more information on the progression of diabetic retinopathy and treatments, including vitrectomy surgery and laser photocoagulation, please continue to browse our comprehensive informational resource.