Eye exam for diabetes
diabetic eye exam · diabetic retinopathy screening · retina check for diabetes · dilated eye exam
An eye doctor checks the retina through a widened pupil. This finds changes from diabetes early, while they can still be stopped.
For people with diabetes, usually once a year, more often if changes are already found.
⏱ Duration: usually 30 to 60 minutes, including waiting for the drops; results right away
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Food and medicines. Eat and take your medicines as usual.
- Getting home. After the drops, it is hard to drive. It is better to have someone with you.
- Sun. Bring sunglasses.
What to bring
- Your ID
- Your glasses
- Recent test results
- Sunglasses
- Your glucose meter and a snack
How it goes
- Your vision and eye pressure are checked
- Drops are put in to widen your pupils
- You wait 20 to 30 minutes
- The doctor looks at the back of your eye with a lens
- Sometimes a photo of the retina or an OCT scan is taken
What you'll feel
- The drops may sting
- The light is bright during the exam
- After the drops, close-up vision is blurry and light feels too bright for a few hours
Afterwards
- Do not drive until the drops wear off
- You get the result right away
- Your next exam is as your doctor plans
- Keeping your blood sugar and blood pressure under control protects your eyes
Contact a doctor straight away if
- A sudden drop in vision
- A dark curtain or many floaters in front of the eye
- Flashes of light
Common questions
Why go if I see well?
Changes in the retina are not felt for a long time. The exam finds them early.
Can I keep my vision with diabetes?
Yes. Controlling blood sugar and blood pressure and regular exams matter.