Your doctor may also perform a test called fluorescein angiogram to check for and locate leaking blood vessels in the retina, especially if you have symptoms, such as blurred or distorted vision, that suggest damage to or swelling of the retina.
Fundus photography can track changes in the eye over time in people who have diabetic retinopathy and especially in those who have been treated for it. Fundus photography produces accurate pictures of the back of the eye (the fundus). An eye doctor can compare photographs taken at different times to monitor the progression of the disease and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.
Early Detection
Early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy can help prevent vision loss.
For people in whom diabetic retinopathy has not been diagnosed, the American Diabetes Association recommends that screening be done based on the following guidelines:
Note: Pregnant women who develop gestational diabetes are not at risk for diabetic retinopathy and do not need to be screened for it. (But women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life, which can put them at increased risk for retinopathy and other eye problems.)
People who have diabetes are also at increased risk for other eye diseases, including glaucoma and cataracts. Regular eye exams can help detect these diseases early and prevent or delay vision loss.
Fundus photography can track changes in the eye over time in people who have diabetic retinopathy and especially in those who have been treated for it. Fundus photography produces accurate pictures of the back of the eye (the fundus). An eye doctor can compare photographs taken at different times to monitor the progression of the disease and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.
Early Detection
Early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy can help prevent vision loss.
For people in whom diabetic retinopathy has not been diagnosed, the American Diabetes Association recommends that screening be done based on the following guidelines:
- People with type 1 diabetes who are age 10 and older should have an eye exam within 3 to 5 years after diabetes is diagnosed and then once per year.
- People with type 2 diabetes should have an exam as soon as diabetes is diagnosed and then once per year. Your eye doctor may consider follow-up exams every 2 years if you do not have a high risk for vision damage.
- Women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who become pregnant should have an exam before becoming pregnant, if possible, and then once during the first 3 months (first trimester) of pregnancy. The eye doctor can decide whether you need further screening for retinopathy during pregnancy based on the results of the first-trimester exam.
Note: Pregnant women who develop gestational diabetes are not at risk for diabetic retinopathy and do not need to be screened for it. (But women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life, which can put them at increased risk for retinopathy and other eye problems.)
People who have diabetes are also at increased risk for other eye diseases, including glaucoma and cataracts. Regular eye exams can help detect these diseases early and prevent or delay vision loss.
Last Updated: April 13, 2007 
