How Often Should Diabetic Patients Get an Eye Exam?

Living with diabetes means staying proactive about your health, and that includes taking care of your eyes. Diabetes can quietly affect your vision over time, often without early warning signs. That is why regular eye exams are essential. They help detect changes before serious problems develop, allowing you to protect your eyesight and overall quality of life.

How Diabetes Affects Your Vision

Diabetes affects the blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the eyes. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage these delicate vessels, leading to conditions like diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma. These conditions can develop slowly and may not cause noticeable symptoms until vision loss has already occurred.

Why Regular Diabetic Eye Exams Are Important

The key to preserving your sight is early detection and timely treatment. Diabetic eye exams allow your eye doctor to monitor any changes in your retina or other parts of the eye that may indicate damage. When caught early, many diabetic eye conditions can be managed effectively to prevent or slow vision loss.

How Often Should Diabetic Patients Get an Eye Exam?

The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with type 1 diabetes receive their first comprehensive eye exam within five years of diagnosis. Those with type 2 diabetes should have an exam at the time of diagnosis. After the initial exam, patients should have a comprehensive diabetic eye exam at least once a year.

For patients at higher risk such as those with poorly controlled blood sugar, high blood pressure, or a history of diabetic eye disease, more frequent exams may be recommended. Your eye doctor will advise a schedule based on your individual risk factors.

What to Expect During a Diabetic Eye Exam

At Vision Source Mandeville, diabetic eye exams go beyond a standard vision check. You can expect:

• A detailed review of your medical history

• Pupil dilation to closely examine the retina and optic nerve

• Digital retinal imaging or optical coherence tomography (OCT) to capture high-resolution images of your eye structures

• Screening for signs of diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma

• A personalized care plan based on your exam results

These advanced diagnostic tools help us detect even the smallest changes in your eye health, so we can intervene early and protect your vision for years to come.

Keep Your Vision a Priority

Your eyes deserve the same level of care and attention as the rest of your health. Regular diabetic eye exams are a simple yet powerful step you can take to maintain clear, healthy vision.

Schedule your diabetic eye exam at Vision Source Mandeville and take control of your eye health. Visit our office in Mandeville, Louisiana, or call (985) 300-5700 to book an appointment today.