Eye Care That Looks Deeper
We understand and appreciate the complex link between your overall health and your eyes. Because of this appreciation, we take a deeper look at the effect certain health conditions can have on your eyes.
One of these conditions includes diabetes, a health concern affecting millions of Canadians. Our team is committed to helping you manage diabetes-related vision issues to help preserve your eyesight for years to come.
We recommend having an annual eye exam if you have diabetes. Eye exams can help detect issues early in their development, giving you and our team an opportunity to address them.
Start your eye care journey and preserve your eye health today by booking an appointment at Rutland Optometry.

How Diabetes Affects Your Eye Health
Diabetes is a systemic disease that occurs when the body has difficulty managing blood sugar levels. Sugar, also known as glucose, is vital for providing energy—your body finds its energy by processing glucose into your blood cells using a hormone called insulin.
Diabetes affects this process, leading to excess glucose in the bloodstream. High glucose can then lead to several health concerns involving the heart, teeth, and, yes, even the eyes.
Why You Should Have a Diabetic Eye Exam
Comprehensive eye care starts with understanding our patients’ individual needs, and the key to this understanding is using different techniques and technology, including:
- Fundus photography
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
- Optos Monaco
These tools allow us to look even further into your eyes and their structures, including your retina, macula, optic nerve, and more. By having a clear view of your eye health, we can protect your eyes from various diabetes-related eye diseases and conditions.
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that develops when high glucose damages the blood vessels in your retina, causing them to bulge, break, and leak fluids. This disease usually develops slowly and with no noticeable symptoms. Eventually, it may lead to vision loss.
Advanced cases, known as proliferative diabetic retinopathy, can create scar tissue on your retina and increase the risk of retinal detachment.
Diabetic macular edema is an eye disease that could develop because of diabetic retinopathy. When your retina’s blood vessels leak, fluids can accumulate in your macula, causing it to swell.
Your macula provides the central vision you use to read, write, and drive. However, if the swelling causes damage, it could affect the quality of your central vision and lead to vision loss.
Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma, and diabetes can double the risk of developing it.
When blockages prevent fluid from flowing through your eye’s natural drainage system, your intraocular pressure (IOP) levels could rise. Rising IOP levels could damage your optic nerve and lead to vision loss.
Cataracts are a common eye condition that develops as a result of aging, but diabetes could increase the risk of developing them at a younger age.
Cataracts are often characterized by the hazy, milky colour that forms on the lens. Early visual issues can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
In some cases, we might recommend surgery to remove the lens.

Book Your Diabetic Eye Exam Today
Protect your vision and take control of your eye health by scheduling a diabetic eye exam with Rutland Optometry. Our diabetic eye exams are designed to detect early signs of diabetic retinopathy and other vision-related complications before they impact your sight.
Why Choose Us

Eyewear That Fits Your Style & Needs
With decades of experience in the community, we’re your local destination for eyewear. Whether you’re looking for classic frames or trendy sunglasses, our team is your guide to finding the look and fit that suits your unique lifestyle.
Thanks to our on-site lens edger, we can craft your lenses with precision and offer same-day service for most single-vision lenses.

Giving Back to the Community: One World Two Eyes
We believe in giving back to those in need. Dr. Sunil Parekh proudly joined One World Two Eyes in 2024, a non-profit organization that provides essential eye care services to children in underserved communities worldwide.
By supporting One World Two Eyes, we’re helping make a positive impact on the lives of children who may not have access to the eye care they need.

Protecting Your Child’s Vision: Myopia Management
Nearsightedness (myopia) is on the rise, affecting more children than ever before. By slowing progressive myopia, we can help preserve their long-term eye health and vision.
At Rutland Optometry, we want to help kids succeed. Our comprehensive myopia management can help your child achieve their full potential in and out of the classroom.

Our Location
Our office is conveniently located just minutes from Highway 93 on Highway 33 in the heart of Rutland. Find us inside Willow Park Mall, with ample parking just outside our doors.
Our Address
- 3-590 Hwy 33 W
- Kelowna, BC V1X 6A8
Contact Information
- Phone: 250-868-3480
- Email: [email protected]
Hours of Operation
Our Eyewear Collection




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Stress is a common contributor to the development of eye styes, as it can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to infections. […]
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What Is High Myopia?

When vision challenges arise, it’s natural to feel a mix of concern and curiosity about what it means for your health or your child’s. Learning about vision health is the first step to empowering your family to make informed choices. High myopia is a severe form of nearsightedness (myopia) where the eye’s structure grows abnormally […]