Diabetes and Your Eyes
Care instructions
What is diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a painless eye disease of the retina caused by diabetes. The retina is the layer of tissue at the back of the eye. It works like a camera to capture information about what you see.
Diabetes can cause damage to the tiny blood vessels in the retina. This can lead to changes in your eyesight:
- seeing dark, floating spots
- having blurry vision
- having trouble seeing well at night
- blindness
When you have diabetic retinopathy, your eyesight gets worse over time if it’s not treated.
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of blindness in working-age people.
Changes that happen over time with diabetic retinopathy
Credit: Canadian Ophthalmological Society
Why is it important to have regular diabetes eye health exams?
Having a diabetes eye health exam each year helps find diabetic retinopathy early. You may not notice changes to your eyesight until diabetic retinopathy is advanced. This is why it’s important to have a diabetes eye health exam each year.
If there is a problem with your eyes, you may need treatment to slow or prevent the loss of your eyesight.
What happens during a diabetes eye health exam?
The diabetes eye health exam is done by an optometrist (a doctor trained in diagnosing and treating eye diseases) or an ophthalmologist (a doctor trained in surgery and other advanced treatment of eye diseases). You don’t need a referral from your doctor to see an optometrist, but you need one to see an ophthalmologist.
During a diabetes eye health exam, your eyes may be dilated. This is done with eye drops that make your pupils (the black, centre part of the eye) larger. Having your eyes dilated lets your optometrist or ophthalmologist have a clear view of the health of the retina at the back of your eye.
After the exam, you’ll need someone to drive you home. You won’t be able to drive your vehicle for a few hours after your eyes are dilated.
How often do I need a diabetes eye health exam?
You should have a diabetes eye health exam once a year or as often as your optometrist or ophthalmologist says you need one. But if you have changes to your eyesight, make an appointment to see your optometrist or ophthalmologist right away.
Remember, you may not notice changes to your eyes or eyesight so it’s important to go for regular diabetes eye health exams.
What can I do to lower my risk of diabetic retinopathy?
To lower your risk of diabetic retinopathy:
- keep your blood glucose (sugar) level, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels at your target range.
- have regular diabetes eye health exams
What happens if I have diabetic retinopathy?
Not everyone with diabetic retinopathy needs treatment. If you need treatment for diabetic retinopathy, you’ll be referred to an ophthalmologist.
To see this information online and learn more, visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca/health/pages/conditions.aspx?Hwid=custom.ab_diabetes_retinopathy_inst.
For 24/7 nurse advice and general health information call Health Link at 811.
Current as of: March 09, 2026
Author: Diabetes, Medicine, Acute Care Alberta
This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.
