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More than 40 million Americans are living with diabetes, and for them, the annual eye exam looks a little different. Diabetes affects blood vessels throughout the body, including the ones inside the eye, and a diabetic eye exam is built to catch that damage early, before it becomes permanent.
Dr. Julia Giyaur, MD, and the New York Laser Vision team provide thorough eye exams for patients across Manhattan and Brooklyn, including comprehensive diabetic care. This blog walks through what sets the diabetic exam apart and what to expect during it.
What Happens During a Diabetic Eye Exam
Pupil dilation is what sets a diabetic eye exam apart. In a diabetic exam, dilation is always performed: it's the only way to get a clear view of the retina and the blood vessels that diabetes most commonly damages.
During the dilated portion of your exam, your care team will screen for several diabetes-related conditions:
- Diabetic retinopathy: Damage to the retina's blood vessels, and the leading cause of vision loss among people with diabetes
- Diabetic macular edema: Fluid buildup in the macula that can blur or distort central vision
- Glaucoma: People with diabetes face a higher risk, and measuring eye pressure is a standard part of screening
- Cataracts: Diabetes makes you two to five times more likely to develop them, often at a younger age
Advanced imaging, like optical coherence tomography (OCT), may also be used. These scans produce detailed cross-sections of the retina, catching fluid buildup or structural changes a physical exam alone would miss.
Why Timing Matters
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of vision loss among working-age adults, and it often develops without symptoms in its early stages. More than half of all people with diabetes will develop some degree of retinopathy over time. Blood vessels in the retina can begin leaking or growing abnormally for months or years before there's any noticeable change in vision. By the time symptoms like blurred vision or floaters appear, significant damage has often already occurred. That's why screening is recommended every year, even when your eyesight feels fine.
According to the National Eye Institute, early detection and treatment can lower the risk of blindness from diabetic eye disease by as much as 95%. Laser therapy and injectable medications are both more effective when retinopathy is caught at an early stage, giving your care team the best tools to preserve your vision. Annual exams are what make that possible.
How Often Should You Schedule One?
Frequency depends on how long you've had diabetes and how well blood sugar has been controlled. As a general guideline, people with Type 1 diabetes are advised to get their first dilated exam within five years of diagnosis. For Type 2, the recommendation is to schedule one at diagnosis, since blood sugar issues can be building for years before the condition is identified.
After that initial exam, annual visits are the standard baseline. People whose blood sugar has been consistently well-managed may stay on that schedule for years. If early changes are detected, your provider may recommend coming in every six months, or more.
Stay Ahead of Diabetic Eye Disease with Dr. Julia Giyaur, MD
For anyone managing diabetes, a dilated eye exam is one of the clearest ways to protect your vision long-term. Dr. Giyaur and the New York Laser Vision team combine advanced diagnostic technology with hands-on expertise to give every patient a complete picture of their eye health. Contact us today to schedule your exam at our Manhattan or Brooklyn office.
