Looking after your eyes

All people with diabetes are at risk of developing damage to their eyes. This risk can be lessened by keeping your diabetes well controlled and by having regular eye screening. People with diabetes are also at risk of eyesight worsening with age, but have the same chance of developing eye problems unconnected to their diabetes as anyone else.

You should have your eyes and your sign checked once a year. Eye tests by an optician are free for people with diabetes.

Temporary changes in your eyesight.

You may have noticed changes in your sight around the time you found you had diabetes. Your sight may have become blurred at times due to higher than normal blood sugar levels affecting the lenses in your eyes. However

These changes will settle once your treatment is established and your blood sugar levels return to near normal values.
You should wait for 2 to 3 months after diagnosis of diabetes before you visit your optician for a sight test and/or a change of glasses.
If your diabetic treatment is altered you may notice sight changes again as your blood sugar levels are lowered. These will settle as you adjust to your new treatment.

Who should examine my eyes?

Dispensing opticians are trained to test your sight and dispense glasses only. Ophthalmic opticians are trained to test your sight and to check for other eye problems, eg cataracts and glaucoma. Some ophthalmic opticians are also trained to examine the backs of your eyes using a bright light (this examination is called a fundoscopy). You will be referred to an ophthalmic optician annually for a comprehensive eye test and/or for a retinal photograph. These photographs are examined by a doctor and are kept from year to year for comparison.

If you have any concerns or worries about your eyes, talk about them with your diabetes care team. If your vision suddenly changes, contact your doctor at once.

What happens when I have a fundoscopy?

Find out when this eye examination is due. The eye drops (which will sting when they are put in) may affect your sight for a few hours so you may need someone to take you home. You will not be able to drive until your vision returns to normal.
Take sunglasses with you as your eyes will be sensitive to light for a few hours following the eye drops. These eye drops will dilate your pupils allowing the backs of your eyes to be checked for any changes due to diabetes.
Should any changes due to diabetes be found in your eyes, early treatment will protect your sight.
Early signs of diabetic eye disease do not cause any symptoms such as pain or loss of sight.
You may find an annual eyesight test and eye examination reassuring.
Once symptoms are present, it may be more difficult or even impossible to treat the condition so regular eye checks are vital.

What else do I need to know?

Inform your optician that you have diabetes.
Give your optician the name of your family doctor and details of where you receive your diabetes care.
If you wear glasses, remember to take them with you to an eye test.
Children with diabetes should start to have regular eye examinations 10 years after diagnosis or from the age of 12, whichever is sooner.
People with diabetes can wear contact lenses including some disposable types.
If your eyes need further treatment, you should be referred to an ophthalmologist without delay.