Diabetic Eye Exams
in San Diego

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Protect Your Eyes From the Damaging Effects of Diabetes

Diabetes is a systemic disease that affects many areas of your body, including your eyes. It influences how your body makes or uses insulin, a hormone necessary for breaking down sugar in your blood into energy for your cells. When sugar remains in your bloodstream, it can block and damage the tiny blood vessels that supply your retina, leading to various eye problems.

Diabetes & Your Eyes

Eye exams are always important, but even more so when you have a health condition like diabetes. If you have diabetes, annual diabetic eye exams with a trained, knowledgeable eye care professional can protect your eye health and prevent vision loss.  

Diabetes increases your risk of developing serious eye problems, like cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic Retinopathy

At the back of your eye is a thin membrane of light-sensitive tissue called the retina. The retina is supplied and nourished by a system of delicate blood vessels. High blood sugar levels can damage these fragile blood vessels, leading to an eye disease called diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy causes these damaged blood vessels to swell, bulge, break, and leak. If diabetic retinopathy is left untreated, new, abnormal blood vessels can begin to grow, causing further complications.

Diabetic macular edema is a common side effect of diabetic retinopathy. It occurs when leaking fluid causes the macula to swell. Since the macula is responsible for sharp, central vision, macular edema can lead to blurry or obscured central vision.

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that progressively damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve is the superhighway that transports visual information from the eyes to the brain. Any damage to it can lead to irreversible vision loss.

Primary open-angle glaucoma is one of the most common forms of this disease and has a unique relationship with diabetes: patients with diabetes are twice as likely to develop glaucoma, and patients with open-angle glaucoma are at a higher risk of developing diabetes.

Cataracts occur when the eye’s natural lens begins to cloud. Cataracts are a normal part of the aging process, most often affecting those over 60. However, diabetes causes changes in your eyes that make cataracts more common and more likely to develop at a younger age.

Detecting, Diagnosing, & Treating Diabetic Eye Disease

The best way to protect your eyes from diabetic eye diseases is with annual diabetic eye exams. At Total Vision Sports Arena, our highly-knowledgeable and specially-trained eye care team is experienced with diagnosing eye diseases. And with our advanced diagnostic equipment, we can more accurately detect eye diseases in their earliest stages. 

Vision loss prevention is most successful when diabetic eye diseases are caught and treatment is started early. Please visit us soon if you have diabetes.

Many eye diseases develop without early signs, so if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, please call us immediately:

Our Location

We’re conveniently located off Sports Arena Boulevard, right next door to Phil’s BBQ in the Midway District. There’s tons of parking and an accessible stall right in front of our door. Same day appointments available! Welcoming new patients.

Our Address

  • 3750 Sports Arena Blvd.,
    Suite 9
  • San Diego, CA 92110

Contact Information

Our Blog

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Contact Lenses

With proper contact lens wear and care habits, you should not be able to feel them in your eyes. If you notice the contact in your eye, this could stem from several reasons: 

Improper fit or size

Dry eye 

Lens positioning 

Extensive wear

Poor contact lens hygiene […]

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From simple solutions to advanced therapies, there are several ways you can effectively relieve extreme dry eyes at night: 
Creating a hydrating sleep environment: Humidifier, drinking water, and adjusting room temperature

Protecting your eyes: Sleep mask, warm compress mask, artificial tears, eye ointment, and limiting screen time

Advanced dry eye therapies: Prescription eye drops and punctal plugs

[…]

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How to Prevent Retinal Detachment

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Retinal detachment can often be prevented. Protecting your eyes at all times, following a healthy lifestyle, and regular eye exams are essential steps. It also helps to know the signs of something wrong so you can seek immediate help when needed. […]

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March 21, 2025
Total Vision
A person holds a contact lens storage case in one hand while rubbing their irritated eye with the other.

With proper contact lens wear and care habits, you should not be able to feel them in your eyes. If you notice the contact in your eye, this could stem from several reasons: 

Improper fit or size

Dry eye 

Lens positioning 

Extensive wear

Poor contact lens hygiene […]

Read More…

A person laying in bed, staring at a mobile phone, rubbing their eyes from extreme dry eye at night

From simple solutions to advanced therapies, there are several ways you can effectively relieve extreme dry eyes at night: 
Creating a hydrating sleep environment: Humidifier, drinking water, and adjusting room temperature

Protecting your eyes: Sleep mask, warm compress mask, artificial tears, eye ointment, and limiting screen time

Advanced dry eye therapies: Prescription eye drops and punctal plugs

[…]

Read More…

An optometrist holding a small model of the human eye to show how it works.

Retinal detachment can often be prevented. Protecting your eyes at all times, following a healthy lifestyle, and regular eye exams are essential steps. It also helps to know the signs of something wrong so you can seek immediate help when needed. […]

Read More…

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