Diabetes Specialist

New York Retina and Macula Institute

Aryeh L. Pollack, MD

Vitreoretinal and Macula Surgeon & Medical Retina Specialist located in Midtown Manhattan and Brooklyn, NY

Diabetes is a serious medical condition that affects more than 30 million Americans, many of them undiagnosed. In addition to causing numerous health problems, diabetes can affect your vision and eye health, which is why Aryeh L. Pollack, MD, founder of New York Retina and Macula Institute, and a highly-skilled retinal surgeon, recommends getting a comprehensive diabetic eye exam at least once a year. With convenient New York City locations in Midtown East Manhattan and Borough Park in Brooklyn, New York Retina and Macula Institute makes it easy to schedule your eye exam either by phone or online.

Diabetes Q & A

How does diabetes affect my eye health?

Diabetes increases your risk of developing glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. These eye conditions, if left untreated, can lead to vision loss. The longer you live with diabetes, the more likely you are to develop eye complications.

The best way to prevent diabetic-related eye diseases is through early detection and regular eye exams. Dr. Pollack specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the retina and provides the highest standard of cutting-edge technology and treatment options.

What happens during a diabetic eye exam?

In addition to standard visual acuity tests that screen for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and other eye problems, Dr. Pollack at New York Retina and Macula Institute also performs a dilated eye exam to view your inner eyes. During this test, you receive eye drops in both eyes that dilate your pupils. This allows Dr. Pollack to closely examine the inside of your eyes for signs of damage related to diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or cataracts.

While your eyes are dilated, Dr. Pollack may perform an optical coherence tomography (OCT) test to see the fine details of your retinas. This test also allows him to see if fluid is leaking from damaged blood vessels – a symptom of diabetic retinopathy. He may also take digital images of the inside of your eyes to determine if any blood vessels are blocked or leaking blood.

What is diabetic macular edema?

If you have diabetic retinopathy, you may also experience a complication of the disease called diabetic macular edema (DME). DME is a serious eye condition that leads to swelling of the macula – the center of your retina that allows you to focus light and see clearly. If you have diabetic macular edema, you may notice changes to the center of your field of vision, including:

Blurred vision
Blind spots or areas in your sight
Waviness at the center of your field of vision
Muted, dull colors

As a retina specialist, Dr. Pollack may recommend anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) medications to help reduce swelling of your macula – the center of your retina, or laser treatments, if he detects signs of diabetic retinopathy and DME during your diabetic eye exam.

The best way to prevent serious eye diseases and vision loss when you have diabetes is with thorough eye exams. New York Retina and Macula Institute offers unsurpassed expertise in diabetic eye care. Call the office nearest you to schedule an exam or book online.

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