Why diabetic eye exams matter
Diabetes is the leading cause of preventable blindness in working-age Canadians. Diabetic retinopathy — damage to the blood vessels in the retina — can develop without symptoms until significant vision loss has already occurred. Proliferative retinopathy occurs in about 60% of people with Type 1 diabetes and in about 5% of people with Type 2 diabetes within approximately two decades after diagnosis.
Annual dilated eye exams are the single most effective way to detect and manage diabetic eye disease before vision is affected.
Diabetic patients experience a higher risk of developing:
- Cataracts
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Glaucoma
- Diabetic retinopathy
What we assess
- Dilated fundus examination — direct visualization of the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels
- OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) — cross-sectional imaging to detect diabetic macular edema (swelling)
- Optomap ultra-widefield retinal imaging — captures more than 80% of the retina in a single panoramic image, allowing us to detect early signs of diabetic damage in the periphery that traditional exams might miss
- Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer — maps your central and peripheral vision to detect early signs of glaucoma, a common co-risk for diabetic patients
- Intraocular pressure — diabetes increases glaucoma risk
- Visual acuity and prescription check — blood sugar fluctuations affect your prescription
How often should I be seen?
| Diabetes status | Recommended frequency |
|---|---|
| Newly diagnosed (Type 1 or 2) | Within 5 years of diagnosis, then annually |
| Type 2 at diagnosis | Immediately, then annually |
| Known retinopathy | Every 6–12 months depending on severity |
| Pregnancy with diabetes | Before conception and each trimester |
Your optometrist will tailor the follow-up schedule to your findings.
Type 1 vs Type 2 risk
People with Type 1 diabetes are especially at risk for retinopathy. When Type 1 diabetes coexists with hypertension, a person may be four times as likely to develop proliferative retinopathy — the most damaging form of diabetic retinopathy. Proliferative retinopathy occurs in about 60% of people with Type 1 diabetes and in about 5% of people with Type 2 diabetes within approximately two decades after diagnosis.
Reduce your risk
If you have diabetes, there are ways you can reduce your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy:
- Healthy eating and exercising regularly
- Monitoring your blood sugar level
- Keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol under control
- Quitting smoking
- Paying attention to vision changes
Coordination with your care team
We communicate directly with your family physician or endocrinologist when findings require follow-up. We provide a detailed retinal report after each exam.
Coverage & pricing
Alberta Health Care covers annual diabetic eye exams. Bring your AHC card and a list of your current medications.