Part of Your Diabetes Health Care Team
Having diabetes can have several implications on your overall health, including your eyes.
Routine eye exams are your best defence against vision issues and eye health problems related to diabetes and increased or inconsistent blood-sugar levels.
eyeDOCS recommends you have your eyes checked every year if you live with diabetes.
How Diabetes Affects Your Eyes
Your eyes are quite delicate. They contain several structures and tissues that all work together to provide you with clear vision.
Diabetes affects how your body turns sugar into energy through your bloodstream. When blood sugar levels are high or inconsistent, your diabetes could harm the sensitive blood vessels and structures in your eyes, causing them to swell, leak blood and fluids, or both.
Preventing Diabetic Eye Problems
Our in-depth diabetic eye exams monitor the health of your eyes. eyeDOCS performs additional testing, including fundus photography and optical coherence tomography to help identify diabetic eye concerns before they threaten your sight.
A comprehensive diabetic eye exam can help preserve your sight through yearly monitoring, protecting your eyes against diseases commonly associated with diabetes.For a full list of eye diseases people frequently develop, please read more on our Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management page.
Diabetic Retinopathy
When blood sugar levels are consistently high, or fluctuate to dangerous levels, the small blood vessels in the eye can swell, and may leak blood or other fluids. When this happens, it’s called diabetic retinopathy.
Fortunately, diabetic retinopathy can be prevented with proper diabetes management, and this condition can be treated.
Diabetic Macular Edema
As a result of diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema occurs when the swelling blood vessels in the eye cause the small tissue at the back of the retina, called the macula, to swell. Your macula is responsible for clear central vision.
Glaucoma
People who have diabetes are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma, a vision-threatening disease that affects the optic nerve—the part of your eye responsible for transmitting images to your brain.
Glaucoma is often caused by rising pressure inside the eyes (but not always) and can develop without noticeable symptoms. Vision loss due to glaucoma cannot be reversed, but there are medications and management options to help prevent it.
Cataracts
Cataracts are the clouding of the lens in your eye, and many people will develop them as they age. People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing them earlier in life. Early-stage cataracts can be corrected with a change in prescription, but as they develop, cataract surgery is the only way to restore clear vision.
Diabetic Eye Health Support
Integrating routine comprehensive diabetic eye exams into your health care support team is essential. EyeDOCS optometrists work diligently to protect your eye health and preserve your vision. Book your next diabetic eye exam with us today.
Find A Location In Ottawa
eyeDOCS Barrhaven
Just off the Fallowfield Road exit of Highway 416, we provide eye care for all patients in this area. Services are available in English and French.
- 4100 Strandherd Dr
- Ottawa, ON K2J 0V2
Barrhaven’s Hours
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Saturdays are open on alternate weeks. Please call or check Google Business profile to verify.
eyeDOCS Kanata
Find us across from the Kanata Research Park and down the street from the Richcraft Recreation Centre. Services are available in English and Spanish.
- 700 March Rd
- Ottawa, ON K2K 2V9
Kanata’s Hours
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Saturdays are open on alternate weeks. Please call or check Google Business profile to verify.
eyeDOCS Riverside South
In the heart of Riverside South conveniently serving: Manotick, Greely, and Barrhaven. We are happy to treat the surrounding communities for all their optical needs in English or French.
- 4452 Limebank Rd
- Ottawa, ON K1V 2N8
Riverside South’s Hours
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Saturdays are open on alternate weeks. Please call or check Google Business profile to verify.
eyeDOCS Ottawa
Our flagship office is located in Alta Vista near Billings Bridge Shopping Centre. Services are available in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.
- 1285 Kilborn Ave
- Ottawa, ON K1H 6K9
Ottawa’s Hours
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
eyeDOCS Westboro
Find us in the heart of the Westboro Village on Richmond Road near the corner of Eden Avenue. We provide services in English, French, Cantonese, and Spanish.
- 298 Richmond Road
- Ottawa, ON K1Z 6X5
Westboro’s Hours
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday: Closed
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Get Social With Us
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Westboro
- 298 Richmond Road
- Ottawa, ON K1Z 6X5
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P: 613-725-0816
appointments@eyedocsottawa.com
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Ottawa
- 1285 Kilborn Ave
- Ottawa, ON K1H 6K9
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P: 613-733-8400
appointments@eyedocsottawa.com
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Riverside South
- 4452 Limebank Rd
- Ottawa, ON K1V 2N8
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P: 613-239-5004
appointments@eyedocsottawa.com
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Kanata
- 700 March Rd
- Ottawa, ON K2K 2V9
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P: 613-239-5005
appointments@eyedocsottawa.com
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Barrhaven
- 4100 Strandherd Dr
- Ottawa, ON K2J 0V2
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P: 613-567-5811
appointments@eyedocsottawa.com
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