Diabetic Eye Exams

If you have diabetes—even if your vision seems “normal”—your eyes may still be changing quietly. Diabetes can affect the tiny blood vessels in the retina, and early damage often has no symptoms. The good news: with regular diabetic eye exams, many serious vision problems can be detected early and treated before they become permanent.

At Michigan Eye Consultants, we combine careful doctor-led exams with advanced retinal imaging and functional testing to document your eye health, track changes over time, and coordinate care quickly if anything looks concerning.

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What is diabetic retinopathy?

The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that sends visual information to your brain. Over time, high blood sugar can damage the retina’s small blood vessels. This may lead to leakage, swelling, bleeding, or poor blood flow—changes known as diabetic retinopathy. In more advanced cases, it can threaten vision.

Why diabetic eye exams matter (even without symptoms)

Many people don’t notice any vision changes until retinopathy is more advanced. A diabetic eye exam helps us:

  • Detect early retinal changes before you feel them

  • Create a clear baseline to compare year-to-year

  • Monitor for swelling or bleeding that can affect central vision

  • Make timely referrals to retina specialists when needed

  • Support your overall diabetes care team with clear findings

Am I at risk of diabetic retinopathy?

Anyone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy. Risk is higher if you have:

  • Poorly controlled blood sugar (higher A1C over time)

  • A longer history of diabetes

  • High blood pressure

  • High cholesterol

  • Kidney disease

  • Pregnancy (diabetes-related eye changes can progress faster during pregnancy)

Symptoms to watch for

Call us promptly if you notice:

  • New floaters or spots

  • Blurry or fluctuating vision

  • Dark areas or “missing” spots in vision

  • Distortion (straight lines appear wavy)

  • Sudden vision loss

Important: many patients have no symptoms early on—routine exams are still essential.

What to expect at your diabetic eye exam

We keep the process straightforward and comfortable. Your visit may include:

  1. Vision testing and a review of your eye history

  2. Retinal evaluation to check the back of the eye (often with dilation)

  3. Advanced testing when appropriate to document and monitor changes

  4. A clear explanation of your results—and what we recommend next

Dilation drops can cause temporary light sensitivity and blur for a few hours. If dilation is recommended, we’ll explain why and what to expect.

The technology we use to protect your vision

Diabetic eye care is about accurate documentation and early detection. Depending on your needs, we may use:

Optomap® Ultra-Widefield Retinal Imaging

Captures a wide view of the retina in a single image to help us document diabetic changes and monitor them over time.

Maestro 2 OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography)

A high-resolution scan that shows the retina in layers. OCT helps detect and monitor retinal swelling (macular edema) and other subtle changes that can affect vision.

Rabin Cone Contrast Test (RCC)

Diabetes can affect more than just sharpness on the eye chart—it can impact contrast and color sensitivity, sometimes before you notice obvious vision changes. RCC measures how well your eyes detect subtle differences in color and contrast, adding useful information for monitoring retinal function over time.

RetEval ERG (Electroretinography)

In select cases, ERG can measure how well the retina is functioning in response to light—helpful when we want additional functional insight beyond images alone.

(Testing is individualized—your doctor will recommend what’s appropriate for you.)

What happens if we find diabetic retinopathy?

First: you’ll get a clear explanation, without panic. Depending on what we see, your plan may include:

  • Closer monitoring and repeat imaging/testing

  • Coordination with your primary care physician/endocrinologist (A1C, blood pressure, cholesterol all matter)

  • If needed, prompt referral to a retina specialist for treatment options such as injections or laser-based therapies

Early action is the goal—because it’s much easier to protect vision than to restore it later.

Schedule your diabetic eye exam

If you have diabetes, your eye exam is part of your preventive care—just like labs and physicals.

Book now!

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