Protect Your Vision From Diabetic Complications
Recent studies show that 1 in 3 Canadians live with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Diabetes can impact your overall health and your vision along with it.
Optometrists are specially positioned to assist with diabetes treatment. In some cases, it’s during an eye exam that the first signs of diabetes are detected.
People are often aware of the many ways that diabetes affects overall health but don’t always consider its ocular consequences. Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness in adults.
People with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing eye diseases and conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. We recommend that those with diabetes have annual, comprehensive eye exams. Taking a proactive approach to health is important, especially if you’re dealing with diabetes.
Book your diabetic eye appointment today, and let us help you preserve your sight.
Request Appointment
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that impacts insulin production, a hormone that regulates your body’s blood sugar levels.
When you eat, most of your food is broken down into glucose (sugar) and travels through the bloodstream. An increase in the amount of sugar in the bloodstream signals the pancreas to release insulin, which allows the sugar to enter your cells.
If you have diabetes, your body either does not make insulin or doesn’t use it properly. This means too much sugar will stay in your bloodstream.
Over time, elevated blood sugar levels can lead to a variety of health issues, not the least of which include vision problems. Even if you don’t notice any change in your vision, it’s still important to have your eyes examined regularly. Book your appointment today.
How Does Diabetes Affect Vision?
Diabetes can lead to serious vision problems and even blindness, so it’s important to book an annual eye exam to check for any changes.
Visual issues caused by diabetes may include:
Blurry Vision
Your body adjusting to diabetes medication or changes in your health routine can lead to blurry vision.
Elevated blood sugar can lead to a buildup of fluid in the eyes. Normally, the extra fluid is temporary, and your eyes will return to normal as your blood sugar stabilizes. But, you should still visit your optometrist to rule out more serious issues.
Diabetic Retinopathy
More than half of people with diabetes may have retinopathy at some point. Diabetic retinopathy often progresses slowly and may not present visible symptoms until irreversible vision loss occurs. The blood vessels in your retina swell as blood sugar levels elevate.
In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, blurry vision is a common symptom. As the condition progresses, it gets more serious. Blood vessels break and bleed, leaking into the macula and causing vision loss.
Diabetic Macular Edema
Diabetic macular edema occurs when the macula swells. The macula is responsible for your central vision, so impairment can impact the ability to read, write, drive, and recognize faces. This condition is quite serious and can lead to blindness.
Book Your Diabetic Eye Exam Today!
If you have diabetes, it is imperative that you get your eyes examined at least annually unless otherwise advised. Close examination of the retina can help to detect any early signs of serious vision problems.
During a diabetic eye exam, we may dilate your pupils in order to see the back of the eye and its structures more clearly. Dilation is a simple process where we place a few drops into the eyes, and the pupils widen temporarily.
You may be more sensitive to sunlight after a dilated eye exam, so we suggest bringing sunglasses to your appointment.
Request AppointmentOur Location
We are located in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood in the second building just east of Avenue Road. Look for the “151” sign on the building right above the doors, which may be easier to see from the North side of the street. The building’s “151” sign can be hard to spot from the south side—look directly across from Tiffany & Co.
Parking
Colonnade Garage (Currently under construction – parking here is very limited!):
Located on the south side of Bloor between Avenue Rd. and Bay St.
- Height limit: 5’8”
- Entrances:
- Off Bloor (west of St. Thomas St., before the crosswalk)
- Via St. Thomas St. → right on Sultan St. → garage entrance at end
Directions
- Driving west on Bloor: After Bay St., turn left on St. Thomas, right on Sultan.
- Driving east on Bloor: After passing our office, turn right on St. Thomas, right on Sultan.
- Missing the turn adds a long detour!
- Video directions for parking
Notes
- License plates are scanned—pay at exit.
- Lot fills quickly; allow extra time.
- After parking, exit onto Bloor via the Colonnade; our building is a short walk west (turn left).
- Alternate parking:
- Manulife Centre, 44 Charles St. W (7-min walk)
- Yorkville Village, 55 Avenue Rd (5-min walk)
- No validation available through our office.
TTC Directions
Our office is within walking distance of Bay, St. George, and Museum stations.
- From Bay Station (Bloor Line): Video Directions
Exit Bay St., walk south to Bloor, then west toward Avenue Rd. Cross to the south side; entrance is a few doors east of Avenue Rd. - From Museum Station (Yonge-University Line): Video Directions
Walk north on Queen’s Park/Avenue Rd., turn right on Bloor (east). Our entrance is a few storefronts in. - From St. George Station (Yonge-University Line):
Exit to Bedford Rd., walk south to Bloor, turn left (east), cross to the south side, and continue past the ROM.
*We are closed on statutory holidays.
Our Address
- 151 Bloor St W, Suite 703
- Toronto, ON M5S 1S4
Contact Information
- Phone: 416-923-8439
- Email: appointments@vieweyecare.com
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
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View Eye Care
- 151 Bloor St W, Suite 703
- Toronto, ON M5S 1S4
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P: 416-923-8439
appointments@vieweyecare.com
