Diabetes affects the eyes silently. Annual diabetic eye exams detect retinopathy early — when treatment is most effective. Clear Sight Hawaii, Pearl City.
If you have diabetes or pre-diabetes, an annual diabetic eye exam is one of the most important appointments on your calendar. Diabetic retinopathy — damage to the blood vessels in the retina — often develops without any noticeable vision changes.
What Happens During a Diabetic Eye Exam
At Clear Sight Hawaii, Dr. Jana Murakami performs a thorough evaluation including:
- Dilated or widefield retinal examination (we use Optos imaging to capture 82% of the retina in one image — often without dilation drops)*
- Assessment for diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, and other diabetes-related changes
- Coordination with your primary care physician or endocrinologist when findings require follow-up
*If we see something that requires further investigation, we may still need to dilate your eyes — but you can schedule that for another day if needed.
Dr. Murakami's Diabetic Eye Experience
During her optometry training, Dr. Murakami completed an internship at Huhukam Hospital on the Gila River Indian Reservation in Arizona — one of the highest-prevalence areas for diabetes in the United States. That early experience with diabetic eye complications shaped her approach to thorough, proactive diabetic eye care.
Who Needs a Diabetic Eye Exam?
- Anyone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes — annually, even if vision seems fine
- Patients with pre-diabetes — discuss timing with your doctor
- Patients whose blood sugar is poorly controlled — may need more frequent monitoring
Book Your Annual Diabetic Eye Exam
Don't wait for symptoms. Call (808) 455-5650 or request an appointment online. We accept HMSA, AlohaCare, UHC, Medicare, and most major plans. Walk-ins welcome — same-day availability depends on our schedule, but we always do our best.