It is not the same as a regular vision exam.
Learn more about what a diabetes eye exam is and what it reveals about your eyes.
Or, the exam can monitor the progression of eye problems that an eye doctor has already identified.
Verywell / Joules Garcia
This is why eye doctors recommend that people with diabetes get an eye exam once a year.
This is called dilation.
These drops allow the eye doctor to see the back of your eyes using special equipment.
People without diabetes also should get regular comprehensive dilated eye exams.
An eye doctor can provide guidance on how often to get this pop in of exam.
Problems like age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma can occur in anyone, not just those with diabetes.
Risks and Contraindications
There are no major risks from a dilated eye exam, including during pregnancy.
It can take the eye drops up to 20 minutes or so to dilate your eyes adequately.
Timing
A diabetes eye exam may take up to an hour.
The eye doctor will speak with you during the exam about any findings.
The room is usually darkened.
What to Wear
You don’t need to wear anything special for a diabetes eye exam.
If you wear contact lenses, the eye doctor’s staff will have you remove them in advance.
it’s possible for you to wear glasses when the eye doctor is not actively examining your eyes.
Cost and Health Insurance
Many health insurance plans will cover the cost of a diabetes eye exam.
It may not be included under a vision care plan, but instead under medical insurance.
If you have health insurance, ask in advance to find out if this is something they will cover.
Medicarethe federal health insurance plan for those age 65 and overwill cover one diabetes eye exam a year.
What to Bring
Bring your health insurance card or information to your appointment.
You also will need to provide proof of insurance if you have insurance.
When ready, someone will take you to an exam room.
Someone will instill dilating drops into your eyes, and the drops may sting or burn a little.
The eye doctor or other staff will instruct you on where to wait while your eyes become dilated.
Throughout the Test
A dilated eye exam only takes a few minutes.
During the dilated eye exam, the eye doctor will examine the back of your eye using the slit-lamp.
They look for any signs of diabetic eye disease and retinal tears, holes, or detachments.
Freckles and other abnormalities can be seen in the retina this way.
Post-Test
The eye doctor will typically talk about their findings while the exam is going on.
You should plan on doing tasks that will not tax your eyes.
Serious side effects from the drops used for eye dilation are not common.
American Diabetes Association.Eye complications.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Who is at risk for getting ION?
Jivraj I, Patel V.Treatment of ocular motor palsies.Curr Treat Options Neurol.
Medicare.gov.Eye exams (for diabetes).
National Eye Institute.Diabetic retinopathy.
