MEDICAL EYE CARE
A clearer plan for retinal health.
Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in the retina. A diabetic eye examination looks for changes that may need monitoring or treatment, even when your vision seems unchanged.
EARLY SIGNS
May be absent
CARE GOAL
Reduce the risk of vision loss
CARE TEAM
Eye care and diabetes care together
On this page: What can happen to the retina? · Examination & imaging · Treatment options · Expected outcomes & follow-up · New symptoms should not wait
What can happen to the retina?
Diabetic retinopathy can begin with leaking or weakened blood vessels. More advanced disease may involve fragile new vessels that bleed. Fluid at the macula—the area used for detailed central vision—is called diabetic macular edema.
Blur, new floating spots, or a change in vision should be reported promptly. Do not use symptoms alone to decide when an examination is needed.
Examination & imaging
A dilated examination allows the clinician to inspect the retina. Photographs may document its appearance, and an OCT scan may help show retinal layers and fluid. Sometimes a specialist uses fluorescein angiography, a dye-based test, to look at circulation and leakage.
Bring your diabetes history, current medications, and relevant records. Ask which findings are present, whether the macula is involved, and how the results compare with previous visits.
Treatment options
We provide medical evaluation and follow-up in Torrington. When advanced procedural care is needed, we coordinate with our selected referral and co-management network. Treatment depends on your examination.
Monitoring & whole-person care
Early disease may be monitored. Blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol management with your medical team are important parts of reducing risk.
Injections
Anti-VEGF medicines are placed into the eye to reduce abnormal vessel growth and leakage. Steroid treatment may be considered in selected cases. The eye is numbed for an injection. Repeat visits are often needed, and your treating specialist adjusts the schedule to your response. Injections carry risks, including infection and pressure changes.
Laser & surgery
Retinal laser may be used for selected patterns of leakage or abnormal vessels. A vitrectomy may be considered for significant bleeding or scar-related complications. These decisions depend on the location and severity of the disease, not simply on having diabetes.
Expected outcomes & follow-up
The aim is to prevent additional loss; some people also gain vision as swelling improves. Existing damage can limit recovery. A better scan or a clearer day does not mean that diabetes-related eye disease is permanently resolved.
Before you leave, ask when the next check is due, who will communicate with your diabetes clinician, and whom to call if your vision changes between visits.
New symptoms should not wait
Sudden loss of vision, a curtain or shadow, or a sudden shower of floaters needs immediate evaluation. Seek emergency eye care or an emergency department if you cannot promptly reach an eye clinician.
Questions patients ask
Do I need an eye exam if my glasses still work?
Yes. The prescription and the health of the retina are different questions. Ask your eye clinician how often you need a diabetic eye examination.
Does everyone with diabetes need injections?
No. Treatment depends on the examination and imaging findings. Monitoring may be appropriate when treatment is not yet indicated.
PATIENT EDUCATION SOURCES
NEI: Diabetic retinopathy ↗ · NEI: Eye injections ↗ · AAO EyeWiki: Optical coherence tomography ↗ · NEI: Retinal detachment ↗
Educational content updated September 2026. Your diagnosis and care plan require an individual examination.
Connected specialist care
When diabetic eye disease needs advanced treatment, our close relationships with retinal specialists help connect patients with specialist evaluation and coordinated follow-up.