Diabetes is one of the leading causes of preventable vision loss, yet most people don’t realize that eye damage can begin years before symptoms appear. At Central Florida Eye Institute, Dr. Thomas Croley, a board-certified ophthalmologist with more than three decades of experience, provides expert diabetic eye care to help patients like you protect their sight as early as possible. Understanding what happens inside the eye is the first step toward long-term vision health.
How High Blood Sugar Impacts the Retina
The retina is a delicate layer of tissue that receives light and sends visual signals to the brain. For people with diabetes, elevated blood sugar can gradually weaken and damage the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina. This process begins at the microscopic level, long before a patient notices changes in his or her vision.
When these small vessels swell, leak, or close off, the retina becomes deprived of oxygen. The earliest stage, known as non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, can develop silently for years. Even during this stage, retinal swelling and tiny hemorrhages may already be forming, which is why early detection through comprehensive eye exams is essential.
Why Symptoms Don’t Show Up Right Away
Unlike some eye diseases where symptoms appear quickly, diabetic eye disease progresses slowly. The brain adapts to mild visual changes, and patients often do not notice blurriness until the disease is advanced. Diabetic macular edema, for example, may cause swelling in the central retina without immediate pain or dramatic vision loss.
By the time symptoms like vision fluctuations, dark spots, or difficulty reading appear, the retina may already have sustained significant damage. This is why annual dilated eye exams are critical, even for patients who feel their vision is stable.
Early Detection Makes a Lifelong Difference
Dr. Croley uses advanced diagnostic technology, including optical coherence tomography (OCT) and high-resolution retinal photography, to detect diabetic changes that cannot be seen with the naked eye. These tools allow him to identify early swelling, vessel leakage, or abnormal blood vessel growth before vision is affected.
Early detection makes treatment more effective and helps prevent progression to more serious stages, including proliferative diabetic retinopathy, where fragile new blood vessels form and increase the risk of bleeding or retinal detachment.
Protecting Your Vision With Expert Care
Managing diabetes involves more than controlling blood sugar — it requires proactive, ongoing eye care. With regular exams and timely treatment, you can significantly reduce your risk of vision loss.
To schedule a diabetic eye exam with Dr. Croley, contact us online or call (352) 237-8400. Protecting your sight begins with early, expert care.