Dr. Ellerbrock will perform a comprehensive dilated retinal examination to ensure that diabetes has not had any adverse effects on your eyes.  It is recommended that people with diabtes have this dilated retinal exam performed yearly.  After your examination, Dr. Ellerbrock will send a letter to your medical doctor indicating the findings of your exam.

Diabetes causes weakening of the blood vessels in the body. The tiny, delicate blood vessels in the back of the eye are particularly susceptible. This deterioration of retinal blood vessels may lead to damage in the retina, called retinopathy, and could result in vision loss.

Did you know...?

• Diabetics are twice as likely as non-diabetics to develop eye problems.
• The most common eye complication in diabetes is diabetic retinopathy.
• Fifty percent of diabetics develop some degree of diabetic eye disease.
• The risk of blindness is 25 times higher in diabetics than in non-diabetics.
• Early detection and timely treatment of diabetic eye disease significantly reduces the risk of vision loss.
• Early diabetic retinopathy may have no symptoms.

To find out more about diabetes and the eye visit the American Diabetes Association.