Whenever I see a patient with diabetes, part of the visit includes asking about possible complications of diabetes. This includes screening for diabetic eye disease, or diabetic retinopathy. Our eyes have a light-sensitive tissue called the retina that is found in the back of the eye. Having diabetes can affect the blood vessels in the area, causing blurring of vision and even vision loss.

This can develop in anyone who has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, and the longer you have diabetes and the less controlled your blood sugar, the more likely you are to develop diabetic retinopathy. Having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney disease and smoking are other risk factors.

In the early stages, diabetic retinopathy might cause no symptoms or only mild vision problems. As the condition gets worse, you may see floating dark strings and spots (floaters), blurred vision, dark or empty areas in your vision, and complete vision loss.

All patients with diabetes should see an eye doctor (an ophthalmologist) at least once a year. For patients with type 1 diabetes, they should be checked five years after diagnosis. For patients with type 2 diabetes, an eye exam should be done upon diagnosis.

Women with diabetes who get pregnant, or women who develop diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes) might need more frequent eye exams, every one to three months during pregnancy, because being pregnant can increase your risk of diabetic retinopathy.

The eye exam will include a vision check to assess if you need eyeglasses. Then to look at the back of your eye, your doctor will need to perform what is called a dilated exam. You will be given eyedrops to make your pupil (the black part in the center if your eye) widen to make it easier to check your retina. After this check-up you will have trouble seeing in bright light and your vision may be blurry for a few hours, so have someone accompany you that day and don't drive.