Why Diabetes Eye Exams Matter
Diabetes increases the risk of several serious eye diseases and vision loss. Even people who manage blood sugar well can develop diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or cataracts at higher rates than non-diabetics. Medical groups advocate for a dilated eye exam each year so an ophthalmologist can detect early changes before vision is affected.
What the New Study Found
Researchers from Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, examined medical records over four years for nearly 2,000 adults aged 40 and older with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. They found that more than half did not follow the recommended annual dilated eye exam. In the United States, roughly six in ten diabetics fail to obtain the annual dilated eye exam that helps protect vision.
Who Is More Likely to Skip
Among the study groups, diabetic smokers and those with less severe diabetes who reported no current vision problems were the most likely to miss these essential eye checks. The data suggest that awareness and perceived urgency play a role in whether patients schedule and show up for exams.
Who Is More Likely to Return for Follow-Up
Conversely, patients who had previously been diagnosed with eye disease due to diabetes were about 30 percent more likely to have the recommended follow-up exams. This suggests that personal experience and ongoing eye health concerns can motivate people to stay on track with care.
The Impact of a Dilated Eye Exam
Annual eye exams with pupil dilation allow clinicians to view the retina thoroughly and identify early signs of damage. The study notes that such exams, when done regularly, can prevent roughly 95 percent of diabetes-related vision loss. Early detection enables timely treatment and lifestyle adjustments that protect sight.
What This Means for Patients
For people living with diabetes, the message is clear: schedule and keep your annual dilated eye exam, ideally with dilation, even if you do not notice changes in your vision. These visits are a crucial part of comprehensive diabetes care and can make the difference between preserving sight and facing preventable vision loss.
- Set a yearly reminder with your primary care doctor or ophthalmologist.
- Coordinate with your medical team to ensure your eye exam aligns with other diabetes management tasks.
- If you smoke, seek resources to quit, as smoking is linked to higher risk and health care gaps.
- Ask about dilation and what the eye exam will assess, including retinopathy and other diabetes-related conditions.
Looking Ahead
Public health efforts, including partnerships with organizations like the CDC, underscore the need to improve adherence to eye care recommendations. For clinicians, discussing the importance of annual dilated eye exams during routine diabetes visits can help close the gap between knowledge and action.
