Diabetes and Eye Exams

Diabetes in an increasingly prevalent disease in the United States.  One thing that many patients have questions and concerns about is when he or she should be seen for an eye exam to evaluate for diabetes in the eye.

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness in the US.  Diabetes affects the small blood vessels in the retina and can lead to blurry vision and eventual blindness. However, the early, more treatable damage is asymptomatic and can only be discovered by routine screening exams.

So when should you have an eye exam? If you have Type 1 diabetes, your first eye exam should be within 1 year after diagnosis. If you have Type 2 diabetes, you should have an eye exam as soon as possible.  Why the difference? Type 1 diabetes occurs suddenly and patients are usually diagnosed quickly after acquiring the diease.  Type 2 diabetes can be present for years before the diagnosis.  During this time, the damage could already be occurring and you may not even be aware of it!

Diabetic retinopathy occurs in several stages.  The first stage is mild diabetic retinopathy.  This is a few blood vessels that have become damaged and become weak. If you have mild retinopathy, you need at least a  yearly exam. The second stage is moderate diabetic retinopathy.  In this stage the damage is more extensive. We recommend patients with moderate retinopathy be seen every 6-12 months.  Severe retinopathy can lead to permanent vision loss, so we recommend exams every 3-6 months.  Proliferative retinopathy often requires treatment in the form of laser or surgery, so we see these patients every 3 months.  Diabetic macular edema, the leading cause of vision loss from diabetes, can occur in any of these stages.  Treatments such as laser and injections are available to treat this condition so follow-up can vary based on the patient. Only a dilated eye exam by a qualifed eye care professional can determine which type of retinopathy you have.

It is important to know that with regular screening and treatment, vision loss from diabetes can largely be avoided.  So, if you have diabetes, be sure to see an eye care professional within the recommended time frame!

This blog is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult an eye care professional.