Southwest Medical Center makes diabetic retinal exams available at our primary care offices. We do this so we can help prevent 95% of vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy.
Southwest Medical Center is saving vision for patients living with Diabetes
What is a diabetic retinal exam?
Diabetic retinal exams can occur at the office of your ophthalmologist, optometrist, or primary healthcare provider. When the diabetic retinal exam is performed in primary care, a photograph of the retina is captured in your physician’s office and sent to an ophthalmologist for review. The exam is quick and comfortable. Results from the ophthalmologist are returned to your physician in about one business day.
Why is my physician recommending a retinal exam for me?
It is recommended that all patients living with diabetes have a retinal exam at least once per year. Your physician is committed to providing quality preventative care and has made this potentially vision-saving technology available to help keep watch for signs of diabetic retinopathy in the early stages—when treatments to preserve vision are most effective.
What if I have diabetic retinopathy?
If diabetic retinopathy is identified, your physician will discuss next steps with you, including potential referral to an eye specialist, as needed.