Diabetes guide
Diabetes and your eyes: why yearly eye exams matter
Understand the first exam, follow-up intervals, and what to ask at a visit.
Fight Diabetes For Good editorial desk · Last reviewed:
Why eye checks matter when you can see clearly
Diabetes can affect the small blood vessels in the retina. Early diabetic retinopathy may cause no symptoms, so a change can be missed until an eye exam. Screening gives your eye clinician a chance to look for changes and discuss follow-up while your vision still feels normal.
Ask when your first exam is due
The ADA recommends a comprehensive dilated exam at diagnosis for adults with type 2 diabetes and within five years of onset for adults with type 1 diabetes. After the first exam, the schedule depends on the results and your clinical history. Annual checks are common. Your clinician may recommend an interval of one to two years after normal exams in some situations, or shorter intervals if retinopathy is present or worsening. If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant, ask your team about an earlier eye exam and follow-up.
What to ask when you book
Tell the office you have diabetes and ask whether the visit will include the recommended retinal screening. Bring your glasses, medication list, and recent A1C if you have it. If your pupils will be dilated, ask what to expect afterward and whether you should arrange a ride. Ask how the results will be shared with your primary care or diabetes team.
Put the follow-up date somewhere you will see it
Write down the date, the clinic number, and when to call if the office has not sent your results. A calendar or a notes page in a daily logbook can work. Ask what vision changes should prompt urgent care. Sudden new floaters, flashes, or a curtain over your vision need urgent evaluation.
Use our diagnosis checklist to make sure the exam is part of your follow-up plan. For background on the test results you may share with your eye clinician, see the A1C guide.
Understand what the eye clinician is looking for
During a dilated exam, drops widen the pupils so the eye clinician can look at the retina and other structures inside the eye. The visit may also include a check of your vision, eye pressure, and other measurements. Ask what the clinic uses for screening and whether you need a comprehensive visit as well. An exam to update your glasses prescription can have a different purpose, so ask what is included when you book.
Some clinics use retinal photographs in screening programs. If you have a photograph taken, ask who reviews it, when you will receive the result, and whether a follow-up exam is needed. If an image cannot be read clearly or shows a concern, your team can explain the next step. Keep a note of the date and the clinic that took the images.
Prepare a short list before the appointment
- Bring the basics. Take your glasses or contacts information, medication list, and the date you were diagnosed. If you have a recent A1C or blood pressure reading, bring it if the clinic asks for it.
- Describe any changes. Tell the clinician if vision has become blurry, if reading is harder, or if you have noticed a change in one eye. Note when it started.
- Ask about dilation. Light sensitivity or blurry near vision can occur temporarily. Ask whether to bring sunglasses or arrange transportation.
If you have had eye treatment or exams elsewhere, ask whether the clinic would like those results in advance. If you use a patient portal, check where the new report will appear. Tell the office how to contact you and confirm that your diabetes clinician will receive the result.
Leave with a result and a date
Ask the eye clinician to explain the result in everyday language. If they saw a change, ask what it is called, whether anything needs to happen soon, and when they want to see you again. If you are referred to another clinician, write down the name, the contact number, and whether you should call or wait for an appointment. If the exam was normal, ask when to book the next one.
If you need to coordinate care across clinics, keep your eye exam date with your other diabetes follow-ups. The foot care guide has a similar checklist for foot checks. Mention practical barriers, such as cost, transportation, or difficulty getting time off. Ask whether the clinic knows of a local screening option or can arrange a time you can attend.
Know when a change cannot wait
If you suddenly notice many new floaters, flashes, or a dark curtain or shadow in your vision, seek urgent medical evaluation. The National Eye Institute lists these as possible signs of retinal detachment. For other new changes, contact your eye clinician and ask how soon you should be seen. Keep the routine screening date on your calendar even when your vision feels stable.
Share the report with the rest of your care team
Ask whether the eye clinic can send the report to the clinician who helps manage your diabetes. If you need to carry a copy yourself, ask for one before you leave or check the patient portal. Bring the follow-up date to your next diabetes visit so it can go on the same calendar as your other checks.
Keep track of which eye was checked or treated if the clinician gives you separate instructions. Ask who to call if you have questions about a referral, notice a new symptom, or cannot make the appointment.
Common questions
Do I need an eye exam if I see well?
Yes. Early diabetic retinopathy may cause no noticeable symptoms. Your clinician can tell you when screening is due.
When should I have my first diabetes eye exam?
Adults with type 2 diabetes generally need a dilated exam at diagnosis. Adults with type 1 generally need one within five years of onset. Ask about different timing if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy.
Does everyone with diabetes need a yearly eye exam?
Annual checks are common. Some people with normal exams may be advised to return in one to two years. People with retinopathy may need more frequent checks.
Can I drive home after my eyes are dilated?
Dilation can temporarily blur near vision and increase light sensitivity. Ask the clinic what to expect and arrange a ride if they advise it or if you are unsure you can drive safely.
What eye symptoms should I get checked right away?
Seek urgent evaluation for sudden new flashes, a sudden increase in floaters, or a dark curtain or shadow across your vision.