Eye Exams for Diabetic Patients in Baton Rouge & Plaquemine

Diabetes can affect the eyes in subtle ways, which is why regular diabetic eye exams play an essential role in protecting your sight. Southern Eye Centers provides thorough evaluations that look for early signs of diabetes-related changes so you can stay ahead of potential problems.

Our team understands the connection between diabetes and eye health and explains your results in clear, simple language.

Book an Appointment

An older woman with short gray hair and glasses sits on a couch and checks her blood sugar with a glucometer.

A doctor in a white coat is showing a tablet to a woman sitting on a bed in a room with white walls, a glass window, and a clock on the wall, and a cabinet with a printer and a shelf with a printer on it

The Importance of Diabetic Eye Exams

High blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels in the retina, often without causing noticeable symptoms. Many patients feel surprised to learn that vision may appear normal even while changes are already happening in the back of the eye. A diabetic eye exam allows us to:

Detect early signs of diabetic retinopathy
Monitor changes in blood vessels and retinal health
Look for swelling, bleeding, or fluid leakage
Identify risks before vision becomes affected
Protect long-term comfort and clarity

Early detection is the best way to prevent vision loss. Even if your eyesight seems unchanged, diabetic eye exams help preserve your eye health and sight.

What We Look for During a Diabetic Eye Exam

Our eye doctors use advanced imaging and detailed evaluations to assess the health of your retina. Your exam may include:

Retinal Imaging: High-resolution photos help us see small changes in the blood vessels that are invisible without magnification.
Dilated Examination: Dilating drops allow us to evaluate the retina more thoroughly and check for swelling, bleeding, or abnormal vessel growth.
OCT Scanning: Optical Coherence Tomography creates cross-sectional images of the retina, helping us detect fluid, swelling, or structural changes early.
Pressure Checks: Diabetes may raise the risk of glaucoma. Pressure testing helps us monitor this closely.

An elderly woman with gray hair is sitting on a couch and holding a glucometer in her hands, checking her blood sugar level. She is wearing a blue shirt and seems to be in a room with a couch, a black headboard, and some potted plants.

Understanding Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar damages retinal blood vessels. These vessels may weaken, leak, swell, or form new abnormal vessels. Over time, this can lead to:

Blurry or fluctuating vision
Dark spots or floaters
Difficulty seeing at night
Vision loss

Most patients do not notice symptoms during the early stages. Regular exams help prevent progression and protect your sight before these problems appear.

How Often Should You Have a Diabetic Eye Exam?

Most patients with diabetes benefit from an eye exam once per year, though some may need more frequent monitoring depending on their health and exam findings. Our optometrists will help determine the schedule that best protects your vision.

Call us right away if you notice:

Sudden vision loss
Dark spots or new floaters
Flashes of light
Distorted or wavy vision
Eye pain or redness
A sudden drop in clarity

A woman in a greenhouse holding a plant in a pot

Protect Your Vision With Consistent Care

Diabetes brings extra responsibility, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. A diabetic eye exam at Southern Eye Centers gives you a plan designed to protect your sight for the long term. Schedule your exam in Baton Rouge or Plaquemine and let our team help support your eye health.