A diabetic eye exam goes further than a routine check
A routine eye exam checks your prescription and performs a general review of eye health. A diabetic eye exam is a focused medical evaluation of the retina — the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that is most vulnerable to diabetes-related damage. During a diabetic eye exam, your pupils are dilated to allow a detailed view of the entire retina, and imaging tools like OCT and widefield retinal photography are used to detect and stage any signs of diabetic retinopathy — the leading cause of new blindness in working-age adults. Diabetic retinopathy can be present and progressing for years with no symptoms. When found early, treatment is highly effective. When found late, options are more limited. Every major diabetes care guideline — including the American Diabetes Association — recommends an annual dilated eye exam starting at diagnosis. For more on how we manage diabetic eye conditions long-term, visit our diabetic eye care page.
Every person with diabetes needs an annual eye exam
The type of diabetes and current blood sugar control affect risk level — but no group with diabetes is low-risk enough to skip annual retinal screening.
Type 1 diabetics
The ADA recommends a dilated eye exam within 5 years of a Type 1 diagnosis and annually thereafter. Duration of diabetes is one of the strongest predictors of retinopathy — even well-controlled Type 1 diabetics develop retinal changes over time, making consistent annual evaluation essential throughout life.
Type 2 diabetics
Type 2 diabetics should have a dilated eye exam at the time of diagnosis — because by the time Type 2 is identified, years of elevated blood sugar may have already caused retinal changes. Annual exams continue from that point, with more frequent monitoring if retinopathy is found.
Pre-diabetics and those with elevated A1C
Individuals with prediabetes or persistently elevated A1C are also at risk for early vascular changes in the retina. An annual or biennial eye exam is advisable — and findings can sometimes serve as meaningful motivation for tightening blood sugar management.
A thorough look at your retina — from center to periphery
Your diabetic eye exam at Santé Eyecare is a structured medical evaluation focused on the health of your retinal vasculature. Here is what we do.
Dilated Fundus Examination
Dilation opens the pupil wide, allowing us to examine the full retina — including the macula (central vision), optic nerve, and peripheral retina. We look for microaneurysms, hemorrhages, exudates, and neovascularization, staging any findings using the standard diabetic retinopathy grading scale.
Retinal Imaging & OCT
Optomap widefield imaging captures up to 82% of the retina in a single image and creates a permanent photographic record for year-to-year comparison. OCT imaging produces cross-sectional views of retinal layers, detecting diabetic macular edema — swelling of the central retina — that may not be visible on clinical exam alone.
Documentation & Care Coordination
We provide a structured report of your retinal findings that can be shared with your primary care physician or endocrinologist. If retinopathy requiring specialist treatment is found, we coordinate a referral to a retinal specialist with a clear summary of our findings.
Common questions about diabetic eye exams
Have a question not answered here? Feel free to call or text our team.
A routine exam focuses on your prescription and a general health screening. A diabetic eye exam is a focused medical evaluation of the retinal vasculature — dilation is required and advanced imaging is used to detect and stage diabetic retinopathy and macular edema. It is billed to medical insurance (not vision insurance) and requires specific clinical documentation of findings.
Annually — without exception — for all patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. If retinopathy is found, frequency increases to every 6 months for mild-to-moderate non-proliferative retinopathy, and more frequently for advanced or proliferative cases. Your exam schedule is adjusted based on what we find.
Yes. A dilated diabetic eye exam is covered under Medicare Part B and most medical insurance plans as a medical benefit — separate from vision insurance. Coverage typically includes the exam itself and diagnostic imaging performed in the same visit. We verify your coverage prior to your appointment.
Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the small blood vessels of the retina caused by chronically elevated blood sugar. It progresses through stages — from mild non-proliferative changes like microaneurysms to severe proliferative retinopathy, where new abnormal blood vessels grow and can bleed into the eye. Early stages have no symptoms. Advanced stages can cause severe, permanent vision loss.
If we find early retinopathy, we document the stage, increase monitoring frequency, and communicate findings to your diabetes care team. Mild-to-moderate non-proliferative retinopathy is often managed with closer observation and improved blood sugar control. More advanced retinopathy or macular edema is referred to a retinal specialist for treatment, which may include laser therapy or intravitreal injections.
Your vision is worth protecting — one exam per year
Annual diabetic eye exams detect damage early, when treatment is most effective. Book your exam today.