Regular eye exams are an essential part of maintaining clear vision and protecting long-term eye health. However, for individuals living with diabetes, eye care requires more frequent and more specialized attention. At Eye Carumba Optometry, our eye doctors in San Francisco, CA provide both comprehensive eye exams and diabetic eye exams to ensure every patient receives the level of care they need.
 

What Is a Routine Eye Exam?

A regular or comprehensive eye exam focuses on evaluating your overall vision and eye health. During this appointment, your optometrist will typically assess:

• Visual acuity and prescription changes

• Eye alignment and focusing ability

• Eye pressure and glaucoma risk

• Overall health of the cornea, lens, and retina

• Early signs of common conditions such as cataracts or dry eye

These exams help ensure your prescription is up to date and that any developing eye conditions are detected early.
 

What Is a Diabetic Eye Exam?

A diabetic eye exam is specifically designed for people living with diabetes, who are at a significantly higher risk for conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, glaucoma, and cataracts. Because these conditions often develop without symptoms in the early stages, early detection is critical. A diabetic eye exam includes everything in a standard exam but goes deeper, often incorporating:

Dilating the pupils allows your optometrist to thoroughly examine the retina and blood vessels at the back of the eye. This is essential for identifying damage caused by diabetes. Advanced imaging helps detect swelling, leaking blood vessels, or early signs of diabetic retinopathy that may not be visible otherwise. Your optometrist will also check for microaneurysms, bleeding, or changes in blood vessel structure - key indicators of diabetic eye disease.

If signs of diabetic eye disease are present, your optometrist tracks changes over time to determine the best course of management or referral if necessary.
 

Why Both Types of Eye Exams Are Important

Both regular comprehensive eye exams and diabetic eye exams play unique but equally important roles in protecting your vision. Routine eye exams ensure your vision remains sharp and comfortable. Early intervention not only preserves vision but also supports your overall eye comfort and quality of life.

For individuals with diabetes, the stakes are even higher. Diabetes-related eye diseases can progress quietly, causing irreversible damage before you notice any change in your vision. Diabetic eye exams use advanced diagnostic tools to detect changes in the retina and blood vessels as early as possible, allowing for timely treatment and long-term protection.
 

Experience Quality Eye Care in San Francisco

While regular eye exams are essential for everyone, diabetic eye exams provide an extra level of detail and monitoring designed to protect the long-term vision of patients living with diabetes. Our experienced eye doctors in San Franciscoare committed to delivering both preventive and specialized care, ensuring your eyes stay healthy at every stage of life.

Whether you need a routine comprehensive eye exam or a specialized diabetes-focused evaluation, Eye Carumba Optometry is here to help. Visit our office in San Francisco, California, or call (415) 360-6900 to book an appointment today.