Ask An Expert: Eye Exam for Diabetes

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Ask An Expert: Eye Exam for Diabetes

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Question:

How often should a diabetic have an eye exam?

Answer:

A person with diabetes should have an eye exam once per year. The exam should include dilating the eyes and having a slit lamp exam. The doctor will look for changes on the retina that come from diabetes damage (retinopathy). Retinopathy leads to blindness if it does not get treated. With treatment, vision can be protected.

If blood sugar is much higher or much lower than usual, vision may be blurred for a short time. The lens in the eye temporarily swells or shrinks after there are large changes in sugar levels. For this reason, it may not be ideal to schedule an eye visit to get glasses right after a diabetes medicine is adjusted to improve glucose control.

Mary Pickett, M.D., is a lecturer for Harvard Medical School and an assistant professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. At OHSU, she practices general internal medicine and teaches medical residents and students.

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Last updated:	May 09, 2007

Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

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