A diabetes eye exam or screening may include imaging tests, a dilated eye exam, and looking at letter charts on a wall to check for diabetes-related eye complications.
A diabetes eye exam involves several tests to look for signs of damage to the blood vessels supplying the retina. This is the light-sensitive portion of the back of your eye.
Any damage to these blood cells and the retina may indicate a diabetes-related eye complication, the
As the damage worsens, you may begin losing your vision. Your eyesight may become blurry, less intense, and begin to disappear.
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of blindness in people ages 20 to 74 years in the United States and other developed countries.
As such, regular diabetes eye exams are a crucial part of your diabetes management plan. They can help a doctor detect any eye complications early and form a treatment plan to reduce the risk of any further vision loss.
Keep reading to learn more about diabetes eye tests, who they’re for, how to prepare, and how often you should get them.
A diabetes eye exam may include several different tests, depending on the progression and severity of your condition.
According to the ADA, the examination may include the following four types of tests:
- Visual acuity test: This test involves looking at a chart of letters or numbers to gauge how well you can see the details at a certain distance. It can help determine whether you need new or updated prescription glasses.
- Tonometry: This test measures the pressure inside your eye. High pressure may be a sign of glaucoma.
- Retinal imaging: Imaging tests like fluorescein angiography can help an optician examine how blood is flowing into your eyes.
- Dilated eye exam: This is the most important diabetes eye test. It helps a doctor examine the back of your eyes for retinal inflammation, blood vessel leakage, cataracts, nerve damage, or other eye problems.
A healthcare professional may also use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to detect diabetes eye complications like diabetic retinopathy and macular edema. This test uses light waves to create 3D images of your retina, which can help a doctor examine the thickness of your retinal layers.
A diabetes eye exam can help a doctor detect any possible diabetes-related complications that can affect your eyes.
The most common complication is diabetic retinopathy. It affects around
A diabetes eye test will also look for other complications, such as:
All of these eye conditions may cause blurry vision. If left untreated, however, they can lead to severe vision loss, which may progress to total blindness and impact your quality of life.
What are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy may cause no symptoms in the early stages. You may barely notice the initial symptoms.
Speak with a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- floaters, or dots and dark strings, in your field of vision
- dark or empty areas in your field of vision
- blurry vision
- difficulty focusing
- frequent dry eyes
- vision changes that seem to fluctuate
- altered color vision
- partial or total vision loss
Diabetic retinopathy often affects both eyes equally. If you’re experiencing issues with only one eye, it doesn’t mean you don’t have diabetic retinopathy. But it might indicate another eye issue.
The best way to handle eye problems related to diabetes is to detect retinal abnormalities early, monitor them regularly, and treat them promptly.
Early detection and treatment begin with the retinal exam. The ADA recommends:
- Type 1 diabetes: First eye exam within 5 years of diabetes diagnosis.
- Type 2 diabetes: First eye exam shortly after diagnosis.
Type 2 diabetes often goes undetected and undiagnosed for years. Retinopathy may have already begun during that time, so an eye exam will help your doctor determine if you already have damage.
The ADA recommends having a diabetes eye exam each year after the first exam. In more serious cases, however, you may require an eye exam every
If you receive a diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy, it’s important to follow your treatment plans for both diabetes and retinopathy carefully. Unmanaged diabetic retinopathy may lead to severe complications, such as vision loss.
You may also have to monitor your eyes for the rest of your life. A healthcare professional can help you manage your condition and will help decide how many eye exams you need yearly.
Come to your appointment prepared to talk about what you’ve been experiencing.
Bring details
Write down the following details and bring them with you:
- any symptoms you’re experiencing
- when symptoms happen
- what your blood glucose levels are at the time of the episode
- a list of any other health issues you’re having in addition to the vision problems, when they happen, and what makes them stop
- any other information you think is important for your doctor to know
Bring a list of questions
A doctor will likely have several questions and information for you. Be sure you’re prepared with a list of questions you have about what you’ve been experiencing and what the next steps might be.
During a diabetes eye exam, an optometrist or ophthalmologist will ask you about your eyesight, any symptoms you may be experiencing, and how you’re managing your blood sugar levels.
They will first perform a visual acuity test to measure your eyesight and see if any changes have occurred since your last exam. You will be asked to read letters on a chart in front of you.
The eye specialist will then apply eye drops to dilate your pupils. These can sting temporarily and blur your vision.
Once the eye drops are working, you will be asked to prop your chin up and forehead against a machine, with which the eye specialist will take photographs of your eyes. These will be sent to a laboratory for examination.
A doctor may
A diabetes eye exam may take up to 30 minutes.
If a doctor applied drops into your eyes, you may experience blurry vision and sensitivity to light for a few hours after the test.
Consider asking someone to join you for the appointment so they can help you return home safely. Wearing sunglasses may also help with bright lights.
A healthcare professional will give you the results of your diabetes eye exam and discuss any possible next steps.
Several components of a general sight and diabetes eye exam are similar. However, during a diabetes eye exam, an eye specialist will focus on examining the blood vessels at the back of your eye and will take photographs of your eyes to see how diabetes is affecting them.
People with diabetes can visit either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist, but it’s best to visit an optometrist first.
According to the ADA, an optometrist is a specialist in screening, diagnosing, and managing eye conditions, while an ophthalmologist is licensed to treat eye conditions with surgery and other medical treatments. An optometrist may refer you to an ophthalmologist.
A diabetes eye exam may cost more than a sight test. However, it may be less expensive depending on several factors, such as whether you have insurance or qualify for Medicare, where your test is done, and what type of eye specialist performs your test.
A diabetes eye exam is an important part of your diabetes management plan. It may involve several types of tests to help a doctor identify possible eye complications early and develop a treatment plan to prevent further eye damage.
In many cases, you’ll require a diabetes eye exam once yearly, but a doctor can help determine the appropriate screening frequency for you.