Diabetic Retinopathy Testing at Clinicas in Ventura County

If you’re living with diabetes, your eyes need attention even when your vision feels perfectly fine. Diabetic retinopathy can progress silently for years, which is why annual screening is the protection you don’t want to skip.

Our Vision Care program at Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. offers retinopathy testing throughout Ventura County. We use a sliding fee scale and have bilingual staff available.

Diabetic retinopathy testing at Clinicas

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new blindness among working-age adults in the United States, and CDC research published in JAMA Ophthalmology notes Hispanic communities carry a heightened share of that risk. The difference lies in catching it early.

At Clinicas, our optometry teams incorporate regular screenings into our existing Vision Care practice. Testing is available at select health centers across Ventura County. Don’t let the price deter you; we offer a sliding fee based on your income.

What is diabetic retinopathy?

High blood sugar levels over time can harm the retina’s tiny blood vessels, leading to diabetic retinopathy. Fluid leakage or bleeding can occur from these weakened vessels, and advanced stages involve the growth of fragile new vessels that threaten your eyesight, according to the National Eye Institute.

Unfortunately, these issues may not cause any pain or impairment until they’ve significantly progressed. The absence of symptoms in early diabetic retinopathy makes screenings essential for early detection. 

What the screening involves

A diabetic retinopathy screening is a dilated vision exam, which gives your optometrist a clear, magnified view of your retina. 

Before the exam

There’s little you need to do in advance beyond arriving for your appointment. Dilation can blur your near vision for a few hours afterward, so it’s worth arranging a ride home for the trip. 

During the dialated eye exam

Your optometrist will put drops in your eyes to enlarge your pupils, which takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Once dilation is complete, we can check the retina and its blood vessels for any indications of retinopathy, such as leaking or unusual growths.

After the exam

Light sensitivity and slightly blurred vision are normal for a few hours as the drops wear off. Before you leave, your eye doctor will explain their findings and discuss any necessary actions that you need to take.

Who should be tested?

The American Diabetes Association states that all diabetic patients, whether Type 1 or Type 2, should undergo screening, even if their blood sugar is well-managed. 

Your eyes may seem healthy now, but the longer you have diabetes, the higher your risk of retinopathy, which is why screening is so necessary.

For individuals with diabetes, the standard recommendation is an annual dilated eye examination; however, your optometrist may adjust this schedule based on your medical history. For members of Ventura County’s Hispanic community, where diabetes-related eye disease is prevalent, that annual appointment is especially important. 

Other eye conditions linked to diabetes      

Retinopathy isn’t the only way diabetes can affect your eyes. Because people with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts and elevated eye pressure, your optometrist may conduct your retinopathy screening and glaucoma testing at the same time. 

By working with your Clinicas Primary Care provider to manage your diabetes, you’re also protecting your eyes and overall health.