Diabetic Eye Exam

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of visual impairment in working-age adults worldwide.  Duration of diabetes is a major risk factor associated with the development of diabetic retinopathy. Due to the disproportionately large number of patients with type 2 diabetes, this group comprises a larger proportion of the disease burden in patients with visual impairment from diabetic retinopathy compared to patients with type 1 diabetes. 

Eye exam guidelines for diabetes:  

• Type 1: Yearly eye exams should start within 5 years of diagnosis. 
• Type 2: Yearly eye exams should start right after diagnosis. 
• Pregnancy: Women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes need an eye exam before pregnancy or within the first 3 months. Your doctor may want you to repeat the exam later in your pregnancy and until your baby is 1 year old. 

Women who develop gestational diabetes don’t usually need an eye exam because they don’t develop diabetic eye disease during pregnancy. If you have any questions, ask your doctor.