What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes in which chronically high blood sugar damages the small blood vessels that supply the retina. Those vessels leak fluid and blood, swell, or close off, and in advanced cases the retina responds by growing abnormal, fragile new vessels that can bleed and scar. Left unmanaged, it is a leading cause of vision loss in adults with diabetes, which is why annual screening is recommended for everyone living with the condition, regardless of how their vision currently feels.

What are the early warning signs of diabetic retinopathy?

In its earliest stages, diabetic retinopathy usually has no noticeable warning signs at all, since the initial damage tends to occur in peripheral blood vessels rather than the central macula. As the disease progresses, some people notice blurred or fluctuating vision, dark spots or floaters, or difficulty seeing at night, but by the time these symptoms appear the disease has often already reached a moderate or advanced stage. This is why an eye exam, not symptoms, is the reliable way to detect it early.

Can you have diabetic retinopathy even with 20/20 vision?

Yes. Because early damage typically affects peripheral retinal vessels rather than the macula, it is entirely possible to pass a standard vision test with 20/20 results while still having active, progressing retinopathy. Vision often does not decline until the disease reaches a moderate or severe stage or diabetic macular edema develops. This is the main reason eye doctors recommend annual retinal screening for anyone with diabetes rather than waiting for vision changes.

How often should someone with diabetes get an eye exam?

The general guidance is a comprehensive eye exam once a year for anyone with Type 1, Type 2, or gestational diabetes. If diabetic retinopathy has already been diagnosed or appears to be progressing, your doctor may recommend more frequent monitoring, often every two to four months, to track changes closely and catch any progression toward a more advanced stage.

What happens during a diabetic eye exam, and do I need dilation?

A diabetic eye exam typically includes visual acuity testing, a pressure check called tonometry, and detailed imaging of the retina to look for microaneurysms, leakage, swelling, or abnormal vessel growth. Traditional exams rely on dilating drops to widen the pupil for a clearer view. At Lucent Family Eye Care, our Optomap and OCT imaging can capture an ultra-widefield view of the retina along with a cross-sectional scan of retinal layers, often without needing dilation, making the exam faster and more comfortable while still giving our doctors a thorough view.

Can diabetic retinopathy be reversed or cured?

The underlying blood vessel damage caused by diabetic retinopathy is not reversible, and there is currently no cure. However, tightly managing blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol can meaningfully slow or halt its progression, and treatments such as anti-VEGF injections or laser therapy can reduce swelling and bleeding and help stabilize or improve vision in some cases. The most accurate way to think about it is management and prevention of further progression rather than reversal.

Is diabetic retinopathy different for Type 1 versus Type 2 diabetes?

The disease process and the need for annual screening are the same for both types once screening begins, but the recommended starting point differs. People with Type 2 diabetes should begin screening at the time of diagnosis, since the condition can go undetected for years beforehand. People with Type 1 diabetes, usually diagnosed in childhood, are typically first screened around five years after diagnosis, since retinopathy rarely develops that early. From that point on, both groups follow the same annual monitoring schedule.

Should I see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist for diabetic eye care?

Your optometrist is your first point of contact for diabetic eye care. Doctors like Dr. Yee and Dr. Sultani perform the annual screening, retinal imaging, and ongoing monitoring needed to catch and track diabetic retinopathy in its early and moderate stages. If imaging shows the disease has progressed to a point requiring injections, laser treatment, or surgery, your optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist or retina specialist for that treatment, then continue monitoring your eyes going forward.

Will glaucoma make me go blind?

Not usually if it's caught and treated. With proper treatment and ongoing monitoring, only a small percentage of glaucoma patients experience blindness — the key is catching it early, since damage that's already occurred can't be reversed, but further progression can typically be slowed or stopped.

Is glaucoma curable or reversible?

No. Glaucoma cannot be cured, and vision already lost to it cannot be restored with current treatment. What treatment can do is slow or halt further damage, which is why ongoing monitoring and early detection matter so much more than trying to reverse existing loss.

Is glaucoma hereditary?

Family history is one of the most consistent risk factors identified for glaucoma. If a parent or sibling has been diagnosed, your own risk is higher, and it's worth mentioning this to your optometrist so they can recommend an appropriate testing schedule for you.

How often should I get tested for glaucoma?

Average-risk adults should have a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years after turning 40. If you have risk factors like family history, diabetes, certain ethnic backgrounds, or you're over 60, annual testing is generally recommended. Anyone already diagnosed or being monitored typically needs follow-up every three to six months, or as their optometrist directs.

Why is glaucoma called "the silent thief of sight"?

Because the most common form, primary open-angle glaucoma, causes no pain and no early symptoms. Peripheral vision loss happens so gradually that many people don't notice it until a significant portion is already gone, which is why routine testing — not waiting for symptoms — is the only reliable way to catch it.

What's the difference between open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma?

Open-angle glaucoma is the more common form, developing slowly and painlessly as the eye's drainage angle gradually clogs. Angle-closure glaucoma involves a narrower or blocked drainage angle, and an acute attack is a medical emergency with sudden severe eye pain, headache, nausea, blurred vision, and halos around lights that requires immediate care.

Can I have glaucoma even with normal eye pressure?

Yes. This is known as normal-tension glaucoma, where optic nerve damage occurs even though intraocular pressure measures within the typical range. It's part of why eye pressure testing alone isn't enough — a full work-up also includes optic nerve imaging and visual field testing.

What tests will my eye doctor use to check for glaucoma?

A thorough glaucoma assessment generally includes tonometry to measure eye pressure, OCT imaging to evaluate the optic nerve, perimetry (visual field testing) to check peripheral vision, gonioscopy to examine the eye's drainage angle, and pachymetry to measure corneal thickness. Each test answers a different question, which is why they're used together rather than on their own.

What does LASIK co-management actually mean?

It means your pre-operative evaluation and post-surgical follow-up visits are handled by your own optometrist rather than exclusively at the surgical centre where the procedure was performed. The surgeon still performs the surgery itself and remains involved in your care; your optometrist manages the surrounding visits and stays in contact with the surgical team throughout your recovery.

Will I see the surgeon again after my LASIK or PRK procedure, or only my optometrist?

This depends on the arrangement your surgeon sets up, but in a co-managed relationship it's common for most routine follow-up visits to happen with your local optometrist, with the surgeon remaining available if a complication or concern needs their direct attention. Your optometrist coordinates with the surgeon as needed rather than making decisions in isolation.

Is co-management a lower standard of care than seeing the surgeon for every visit?

No. Co-management is a standard, well-established model used widely in eye care, not a shortcut. It allows routine monitoring to happen locally and conveniently while keeping the surgeon informed and involved for anything beyond typical healing, which often means more accessible follow-up care rather than less thorough care.

How is PRK recovery different from LASIK recovery?

LASIK involves creating a thin corneal flap, so initial discomfort is usually mild and many patients regain functional vision within about 24 hours, often returning to work or screens within a few days. PRK removes the outer corneal layer entirely, so the first few days tend to involve more discomfort, watering, and light sensitivity while a bandage contact lens protects the eye, with a longer return-to-work window of roughly one to three weeks as the surface heals.

How soon after surgery will I have my first follow-up visit?

Patients are typically seen within 24 to 48 hours after either procedure to check early healing. After that, follow-up visits are commonly scheduled around one week, one month, and three months post-surgery, though PRK patients sometimes have a slightly extended schedule since epithelial healing takes longer than the flap-based healing seen with LASIK.

Am I a candidate for LASIK or PRK?

General guidelines suggest candidates are typically 18 or older, have had a stable prescription for about two years, have healthy corneas, and have no active eye disease. These are only general starting points; a proper candidacy evaluation, including detailed corneal mapping, is always completed by the surgeon during a formal consultation.

Does Lucent Family Eye Care perform the LASIK or PRK surgery itself?

No. The surgery is performed by an ophthalmologist at a surgical centre. Lucent Family Eye Care refers patients to trusted Vancouver ophthalmologists for the procedure and consultation, then provides co-management, including pre-operative evaluation support and post-operative follow-up care, at our clinic.

Do I still need annual eye exams after LASIK or PRK?

Yes. LASIK and PRK correct refractive error, but they don't prevent unrelated eye conditions such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy from developing later in life. Continuing annual eye exams with your optometrist after surgery helps catch these conditions early, well beyond the surgical recovery period.

What is an OCT eye scan?

An OCT eye scan, short for optical coherence tomography, is a non-invasive imaging test that uses light waves to create a cross-sectional, layer-by-layer picture of your retina. Rather than photographing the surface of the eye, it maps the tissue beneath it, similar to how a CT scan images slices of the body but using light instead of radiation. It gives your optometrist detailed structural information that a standard eye exam or a surface photograph cannot show on its own, which is why it has become a routine part of comprehensive eye care.

Is an OCT scan painful?

No. An OCT scan is completely painless and does not involve any contact with your eye. You simply rest your chin and forehead on a stand and look at a small target light while the machine captures images. There is no injection, no puff of air, and no discomfort during or after the test.

How long does an OCT scan take?

The scan itself takes only seconds per eye, and the full appointment typically takes about 5 to 10 minutes. It is usually done as part of a comprehensive eye exam rather than as a separate visit, so it adds very little time to your appointment.

Do I need dilating drops for an OCT scan?

Dilating drops are often not required for OCT imaging itself, since the technology can capture detailed images through an undilated pupil in many cases. That said, your optometrist may still recommend a dilated exam depending on your individual eye health, risk factors, or findings from other tests during your visit.

What can an OCT scan detect?

An OCT scan can help detect glaucoma by measuring the thickness of the optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer, along with age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, macular holes and puckers, retinal detachment, and central serous retinopathy. Many of these conditions cause no symptoms in their early stages, which is why structural imaging is valuable even when your vision seems normal. OCT is not used to diagnose cataracts, since it relies on light passing through a clear lens.

How is OCT different from Optomap?

OCT and Optomap are both advanced retinal imaging tools, but they capture different information. Optomap takes a wide-angle photograph of the surface of your retina, while OCT produces a cross-sectional image showing the individual tissue layers beneath that surface. The two are complementary rather than competing, and the Optos Monaco device used at Lucent Family Eye Care captures both types of images in a single scan.

How often should I get an OCT scan?

How often you need an OCT scan depends on your individual risk factors and eye health history. Patients being monitored for an existing condition, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, may have scans repeated at set intervals to track any changes over time. Patients without a known condition often have OCT built into a comprehensive eye exam on a schedule their optometrist recommends based on age, family history, and overall risk. Adults over 40, and anyone with diabetes or a family history of eye disease, are commonly advised to include it more regularly.

Is OCT imaging covered by insurance in BC?

In British Columbia, the Medical Services Plan (MSP) generally does not cover routine eye exams for adults aged 19 to 64 unless the exam is medically required, and retinal imaging such as OCT is not listed as an MSP-covered service. OCT is typically billed directly to the patient or claimed through an extended health benefits plan, so it is worth checking your specific plan's coverage for retinal imaging or diagnostic eye testing before your appointment.

What does an abnormal OCT result mean?

An abnormal OCT result does not automatically mean you have a serious eye disease. It often means a specific area of the retina or optic nerve falls outside the typical range and needs closer monitoring, additional testing, or a follow-up scan to see whether it changes over time. Your optometrist will explain what the finding means for you and recommend next steps, which may include ongoing monitoring in-house or a referral to an ophthalmologist for further evaluation.

Signs of an Eye Emergency: When to Seek Care Now

A true eye emergency involves sudden vision loss, a chemical splash, a penetrating injury, or severe pain with light sensitivity or headache — these need care right away. Milder issues like pink eye, minor irritation, or gradual floaters can usually wait for a same-day optometrist visit. For the full picture on when and how to get seen, see Lucent Family Eye Care’s guide to eye emergencies.

An eye problem that shows up suddenly is unsettling, and it’s not always obvious whether it warrants a trip to the emergency room, a same-day visit to an optometrist, or a bit of watchful waiting. The good news is that eye doctors rely on a fairly consistent set of warning signs to sort genuine emergencies from problems that, while uncomfortable, aren’t dangerous. Knowing that list ahead of time can save you a stressful decision when something actually happens.

True Eye Emergencies: Go Now

Certain symptoms point to a problem that could threaten your vision or your health if it isn’t treated quickly. If you notice any of the following, seek care immediately, whether that’s an emergency room, an ophthalmologist, or an optometrist who can see you the same day:

A chemical splash or fumes in the eye (flush with clean water for several minutes right away, then get seen)
Sudden or dramatic vision loss, partial or total, in one or both eyes
A penetrating injury, a visible wound, or something embedded in the eye
Blood or clear fluid leaking from the eye
Blunt trauma or a direct hit to the eye, even if it looks fine at first
A sudden shower of new floaters together with flashes of light and a shadow or curtain across part of your vision
Sudden double vision, especially alongside a headache or dizziness
Severe eye pain, particularly with headache, fever, light sensitivity, or nausea
Halos around lights combined with eye pain

That last two combinations are worth flagging on their own, because together they can signal acute angle-closure glaucoma, a sudden buildup of pressure inside the eye that can cause permanent vision loss within hours if it isn’t treated. It’s a genuine emergency, and it’s also one of the conditions our team manages on an ongoing basis once the acute episode is addressed — you can read more about that in our eye disease management overview.

Symptoms That Can Usually Wait for an Optometrist

Not every red, irritated, or unusual-feeling eye is an emergency. Many common problems are uncomfortable but not dangerous, and they’re handled well by a same-day or next-day optometrist appointment rather than a hospital visit:

Pink eye (conjunctivitis) — viral pink eye typically resolves on its own, though it’s worth having examined
Mild redness or irritation without pain or vision change
A stye or minor lid inflammation
Contact lens irritation or a mild scratch, as long as pain is manageable and vision is normal
Occasional or gradual floaters with no flashes or vision changes
Eye strain, dry eye, or seasonal allergy symptoms
Gradual vision changes that develop over days or weeks rather than suddenly

The Rule Eye Doctors Actually Use

Nearly every eye care source, from hospital emergency departments to optometry practices, applies the same basic filter: sudden, severe, and vision-threatening points toward a true emergency, while gradual, mild, or isolated symptoms usually mean an optometrist visit is appropriate. What matters most isn’t any single symptom on its own — it’s the combination. Redness alone is rarely urgent. Redness plus pain, light sensitivity, and blurred vision together is a different story.

Optometrist, Ophthalmologist, or ER — Who Treats What

A Doctor of Optometry is a primary eye care doctor trained to examine, diagnose, and treat most urgent eye problems directly, and in BC, optometrists are licensed to prescribe medication for eye infections, inflammation, allergies, and emergencies. For eye-specific problems, an optometrist is often faster to see than a hospital ER and better equipped to diagnose what’s actually going on. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors with surgical training, and they come in for the smaller subset of cases that need surgery or specialist treatment, such as retinal detachment, advanced cataracts, or LASIK. Our team refers patients to trusted Vancouver ophthalmologists when that level of care is needed and continues co-management and follow-up afterward. You can read more about how that scope of practice works on our eye doctors page.

A Practical Note for BC Patients

One detail that’s easy to overlook when you’re worried about cost is that emergency eye visits are typically covered by MSP, BC’s provincial health plan. That coverage question shouldn’t be what delays you from getting an eye problem looked at.

What to Do While You Wait for Care

If you’re dealing with a chemical exposure, flush the eye with clean water immediately and continue on the way to care. For anything involving a foreign object or possible penetrating injury, avoid rubbing or pressing on the eye, and don’t try to remove anything embedded in it. Protect the eye loosely if you can, and get seen as soon as possible rather than waiting to see if symptoms settle down.

If what you’re experiencing lines up with the true-emergency list above, don’t wait — get to an emergency room or call ahead to an optometrist who offers same-day emergency visits. If your symptoms sound more like the “can wait” category but you’re still not sure, it’s always reasonable to have it checked. Our eye emergencies page walks through how same-day visits work and what to expect, or you can reach our contact page for current hours and booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my eye problem is an emergency?

Look at how suddenly the symptom appeared and how severe it is, since that combination matters more than any single symptom on its own. Sudden vision loss, a chemical splash, a penetrating injury, or severe pain combined with headache, light sensitivity, or nausea all point to a true emergency that needs care right away. Mild, gradual, or isolated symptoms, like a bit of redness on its own or occasional floaters with nothing else going on, usually mean a same-day optometrist visit is enough rather than a trip to the emergency room.

What are the signs of an eye emergency?

The clearest warning signs are sudden or significant vision loss, a chemical or fume exposure, a visible wound or object in the eye, blood or fluid leaking from the eye, blunt trauma to the eye, a sudden shower of floaters and flashes together with a shadow across your vision, sudden double vision, and severe pain with light sensitivity, headache, or nausea. Any one of these on its own is worth having checked promptly, and several appearing together should be treated as urgent.

Should I go to the ER or see an eye doctor?

For genuinely sight-threatening symptoms, such as a chemical splash, a penetrating injury, or sudden significant vision loss, an emergency room is the right call. For most other urgent eye problems, an optometrist can typically see you the same day and is often faster to get in with and better equipped to diagnose an eye-specific issue than a general emergency department, which handles a much wider range of conditions.

Can pink eye be an emergency?

Usually not. Viral pink eye is generally self-limiting and tends to clear up on its own within a week or two, though it’s still worth having examined, both to confirm what’s causing it and to make sure it isn’t spreading to family members. Pink eye becomes more concerning if it’s paired with significant pain, vision changes, or light sensitivity, in which case it should be checked the same day rather than left alone.

What do sudden flashes and floaters mean?

An occasional floater with no other symptoms is usually not urgent and is common as people get older. A sudden increase in floaters, especially together with flashes of light and a shadow or curtain across part of your vision, is a classic warning sign of retinal detachment and needs to be evaluated right away, since delaying care can affect the outcome.

When should I worry about a red eye?

Mild redness without pain or vision change can usually wait for a routine or same-day appointment and often clears up with basic care. Worry more when redness is combined with significant pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, or halos around lights, since that combination can point to something more serious, including acute angle-closure glaucoma, which needs urgent treatment to protect vision.

What’s the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?

An optometrist is a Doctor of Optometry trained to examine, diagnose, and treat most eye conditions and emergencies, and in BC can prescribe medication for infections, inflammation, and allergies. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor with surgical training who handles the smaller number of cases that require surgery, such as advanced cataracts, LASIK, or retinal detachment repair, and typically becomes involved through a referral rather than as a first point of contact.

Can an optometrist treat an eye emergency?

Yes. Optometrists are trained to assess and manage most urgent eye problems on the spot, including infections, injuries, and sudden changes in vision, and to prescribe appropriate medication for eye infections, inflammation, and allergic reactions. When a case needs surgery or specialist treatment, an optometrist refers to a trusted ophthalmologist and continues co-management and follow-up care afterward, so patients aren’t left to coordinate that on their own.

How long can I wait to see someone for eye pain?

Mild, dull eye discomfort without other symptoms can often wait a day or so for a scheduled appointment. Sharp, worsening, or severe eye pain, especially with headache, nausea, light sensitivity, or vision changes, should not be delayed, since it can indicate an infection, injury, or a pressure problem like acute angle-closure glaucoma that needs same-day attention.

Signs of an Eye Emergency: When to See a Doctor Right Away