With diabetes, do I need an eye exam if I see well?
Diabetic eye disease usually has no symptoms at the start. This article says why seeing well is not a reason to skip the examination, and how often you should be examined.
“My eyes see well, so I do not need an examination.” Patients with diabetes say this often, and it sounds reasonable. But when it comes to eyes and diabetes, it is not true.
Why does having no symptoms matter?
High sugar damages the tiny blood vessels of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. According to the sources, the early stages of this damage usually have no symptoms. By the time vision changes, the disease has sometimes advanced.
Some people sometimes have trouble reading or seeing at a distance, but these changes come and go. Do not think that because your vision is sometimes good, there is no problem.
How often is an examination needed?
According to the NEI source, a person with diabetes needs a full dilated eye examination at least once a year. If retinopathy has been diagnosed, the eye doctor may want to see you more often. The AAO source says that even with good vision you should be examined every year and should not skip the recommended visits.
Two special groups:
- If you have just been diagnosed with diabetes and have not yet had an eye examination, book one now.
- If you are pregnant or have developed gestational diabetes, according to the source you should have your eyes examined as soon as possible and ask your doctor how many more examinations you need.
Your eye doctor decides your exact interval.
What does diabetes threaten in the eye?
- Retinopathy. Damage to the blood vessels of the retina.
- Macular swelling. Blurred central vision.
- Cataract and glaucoma. Diabetes raises the risk of both.
These do not always happen, and regular examination lowers the chance. Most treatments stop things getting worse and do not bring back vision that has been lost. That is why knowing early matters.
What helps?
- Controlling blood sugar with diet, exercise and prescribed medicines
- Controlling blood pressure and blood fats
- Stopping smoking
- Going to all your eye visits, even when you see well
When not to wait for the yearly visit
If you have diabetes and:
- Your vision suddenly gets worse or blurred
- A curtain or dark shadow comes over your vision
- You see flashes of light or many new floaters
go to the emergency department or an eye doctor the same day. The details are in the guide “When should I get urgent help?”.