For many Missourians living with diabetes, vision changes can happen silently — sometimes long before you notice any symptoms.
At Complete Vision Care, we see patients daily who think their eyesight is fine. However, during a routine diabetic eye exam, we often find early signs of eye damage. The truth is, diabetic eye disease can develop quietly for years. It can put your vision at risk without causing pain or visible symptoms.
How Diabetes Damages the Eyes Over Time
Diabetes raises your blood sugar, which over time can damage the small blood vessels in the retina — the part of the eye that processes light. These tiny vessels may start to swell, leak, or close off entirely. When this happens, it can lead to diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness in adults.
People with diabetes also face higher risks for other vision problems, including glaucoma and cataracts. These conditions often develop gradually, and by the time vision becomes blurry, permanent damage may have already occurred.
Why Diabetic Eye Exams Are Different — and Why You Need Them
A diabetic eye exam is not the same as a basic vision check. During the visit, your optometrist performs a dilated retinal exam to look for signs of bleeding, swelling, or abnormal blood vessel growth inside the eye. These detailed evaluations allow optometrists to detect diabetic retinopathy, even in its earliest stages — long before symptoms appear.
At Complete Vision Care, we provide eye disease management near you in Festus, Webster Groves, and Leadington to help patients protect their sight and overall health.
What Happens During a Diabetic Eye Exam
Your visit will start like a regular eye exam — but with extra steps focused on your eye health. Your eye doctor will go over your medical history, test your vision and visual field, and check how well you can see in all directions.
Next, we will gently dilate your pupils. This helps us see the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. With advanced imaging technology, we can find early signs of diabetic retinopathy. These signs include swelling, microaneurysms, and blocked blood vessels. These changes are often hard to see without dilation, but they are important for catching problems early.
If we detect any concerns, our eye disease management team will guide you through personalized next steps, whether that includes monitoring, medication, or coordination with your primary care provider or endocrinologist.
How Routine Eye Exams Detect Early Vision Problems
Regular checkups are about more than updating your prescription — a routine eye exam can uncover conditions like age-related macular degeneration, refractive errors, or early retinal detachments before they cause lasting vision loss. During the visit, your eye doctor performs a series of vision tests that evaluate clarity, color vision, and how well the retina’s tiny blood vessels are functioning.
If the results show any concerns, additional tests such as retinal imaging or visual field assessments may be recommended. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of eye disease are at a higher risk of developing serious vision problems, making annual comprehensive eye exams an essential part of lifelong eye health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetic Eye Care in Missouri
Q: Can high blood pressure cause flashing lights in the eyes?
A: Yes. High blood pressure can stress the retinal blood vessels, causing brief flashes of light or dark spots. This is one reason why patients with both diabetes and hypertension should schedule annual exams.
Q: Can an eye exam detect diabetes?
A: Yes. Changes in the retina or small blood vessels can be the first sign of undiagnosed diabetes. This is another reason why eye exams are very important.
Q: Are diabetic eye exams covered by insurance?
A: Most insurance plans pay for diabetic eye exams because they are seen as medically necessary. Our team at Complete Vision Care can check your benefits and answer any questions about costs during your visit.
Protecting Your Vision for the Future in Festus, Webster Groves, & Leadington, Missouri
If you’re managing diabetes, you don’t have to wait for symptoms to start caring for your eyes. Regular eye exams can detect problems early — and early detection is the key to preventing vision loss.
At Complete Vision Care, we provide expert eye care for diabetic patients. We serve the areas of Festus, Webster Groves, and Leadington. Our skilled optometrists give you the answers and support you need. We focus on personalized care to help keep your vision clear and your eyes healthy for years.
Ready to book your next diabetic eye exam? Schedule an appointment online and visit us at your nearest Complete Vision Care location.