Frequently asked questions about diabetes and eyes

The frequency of fundus photography screening is affected by the type of diabetes, previous changes, and blood sugar balance. The screening is also fone before pregnancy and as needed during pregnancy.

Persons with type 1 diabetes diagnosed before the age of 10: At the age of 10 and then every 2 years as long as the result is normal. If changes are detected, screening occurs annually or more frequently.

Persons with type 1 diabetesdiagnosed after the age of 10: At the time of diagnosis and then every 2 years as long as the result is normal. If changes are detected, screening occurs annually or more frequently.

Persons with type 2 diabetes: At the time of diagnosis and then every 3 years as long as the result is normal. In minor changes, every 2 years; in more severe changes, annually or more frequently.

Pregnant individuals with diabetes, excluding gestational diabetes: When planning pregnancy or at the beginning of pregnancy. During pregnancy, screening is based on the degree of retinopathy, kidney condition, and blood pressure. After pregnancy, screening is more frequent for a year if moderate changes are detected.

The screening image should be assessed without delay by a person familiar with retinal changes. To detect the progression of retinopathy, the individual making the assessment should also have access to previous retinal images of the person in question, as well as the ability to promptly refer the patient for retinopathy treatment in specialized medical care if necessary. Implementing this in an optician's shop may not always be possible.

Diabetes or diabetic retinopathy is not a barrier to wearing contact lenses. However, it is important to take care of good hygiene and sufficient moisturizing of the eye surface if needed, especially if the eyes feel dry when using contact lenses. If there are signs of inflammation in the eyes, the use of contact lenses should be halted, and one should seek examination by an ophthalmologist to detect any possible complications related to contact lenses.

Refractive errors are most commonly corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Diabetes is not necessarily a barrier to refractive surgery, provided that the cornea is healthy in the eye, there are no retinal changes requiring treatment, and blood sugar balance is good. For those with diabetes, the local risk of complications is higher. Therefore, the possibility of refractive surgery is always determined individually, based on an assessment made by the procedure's physician.