Your Vision & Health Are Linked
It might not surprise you to learn that your eyes and health are inextricably linked. This means that certain health conditions—like diabetes—can affect your eyes and vision.
Diabetes is one of the most common health conditions in our country, and it can have long-term effects on your eye health. If you have diabetes, we typically recommend annual eye exams.
Frequent exams help detect early signs of eye problems, allowing us to manage them and help preserve your vision.
Book your next eye exam at Vista Eyecare today!


What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a systemic health condition that affects how your body uses or produces insulin. Insulin is a key hormone that allows glucose to enter your cells.
If your body isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t using it properly, it can lead to high blood sugar. High blood sugar can damage many organs in your body, especially your heart, kidneys, and eyes.
Doctors have found that the cause of diabetes varies from person to person, but genetics, certain lifestyle choices, and your environment can increase your risk of developing it.

Eye Problems Linked to Diabetes
Fluctuating Vision
Significant increases or decreases in your blood sugar can change how your eyes focus. This occurs because the lenses inside your eyes swell and shrink when the blood sugar fluctuates. Sometimes this can cause dramatic changes in your eyeglass prescription.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common eye disease linked to diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy develops when high blood sugar weakens the blood vessels inside the retina. These vessels may break and leak fluids, leading to macular edema. As a result, the fluids can damage the retina and possibly cause permanent vision loss.
In advanced cases, diabetic retinopathy can cause the growth of abnormal blood vessels and scar tissue on your retina. Scar tissue increases the risk of retinal detachment, which can lead to blindness.
Diabetic Macular Edema
Diabetic macular edema is a complication of diabetic retinopathy. As damages occur to blood vessels in your eye, fluids can accumulate within your macula, causing your macula to swell.
Your macula is the centremost part of your retina, helping you see fine details, read, and drive. If fluids damage your macula,these tasks can become difficult.
Open-Angle Glaucoma
Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma in the country, and diabetes can increase your risk of developing it. Open-angle glaucoma occurs when fluid builds up inside your eye, raising your intraocular pressure (IOP) and damaging your optic nerve.
Learn more about glaucoma and its types by visiting our Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management page.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a common eye condition that generally develops as you grow older, but diabetes increases the risk of developing them at a younger age. Cataracts occur when the clear crystalline lenses inside your eye become rigid and opaque, causing cloudy vision.
Blurry vision caused by early cataracts can often be corrected with eyeglasses or contacts, but cataract surgery is the only way to correct poor vision from more severe cataracts.

How We Examine Your Eyes
Optos California
Optos imaging technology helps our team detect diseases and conditions that affect your retina. This tool takes an ultra-wide image of your retina in half a second, making it an ideal device for detecting diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment.
Zeiss Cirrus OCT
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a special ultrasound-like technology we use to get detailed, cross-sectional images of your retina. Using only light rays, OCT helps us determine your retina’s thickness, differentiate its layers, and search for many eye diseases that can cause vision loss, such as age-related macular degeneration.
Canon Fundus Photography
Fundus photography takes full-colour photos of your retina through your pupil. These images help our team thoroughly examine your retina, optic nerve, macula, blood vessels, and more.
Get Help Keeping Your Eyes Healthy
Diabetes can change many aspects of your life, including your vision. Let our team help you manage your eye health and preserve your sight. Book your appointment today!

OUR LOCATION
Visit us in Saskatoon on Morgan Avenue, right behind the 8th Street Dairy Queen. There’s plenty of free parking.

Contact Us
- Phone: (306) 955-3811
- Fax: 306-955-5829
- Email: [email protected]
Our Address
- 1112A Morgan Ave
- Saskatoon, SK S7H 2R7
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday : 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday : 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday : Closed
- Sunday: Closed

Our Services

Adult & Senior Eye Exams
Whether you need a routine check-up or have a specific eye problem, we’re here to help! Our friendly staff will ensure you feel comfortable and taken care of.

Contact Lens Exams, Fittings, & Brands
If you’re looking for an alternative to eyeglasses, contact lenses may be a great option! Come in for a contact lens consultation—we’ll find the best contact lenses for you.

Children’s Eye Exams
Our children’s eye exams are tailored to your kids–whether they’re tiny tots, teenagers, or somewhere between. Let’s make sure they see well and that their vision isn’t holding them back.

MYOPIA CONTROL
Watching your child’s nearsightedness get worse year after year is upsetting. We offer myopia control options to slow its progression and prevent problems associated with high prescriptions.
Our Brands




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we offer direct billing
You deserve access to quality eye care without breaking the bank. That’s why we offer direct billing with most insurance companies, including: