Diabetes Standards of Care and Resources for Clinicians and Educators
Eye Care
People with diabetes are at lifelong risk for eye and vision problems. These problems include diabetic retinopathy and macular edema. Diabetes also increases the risk of common eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration.
Diabetic eye disease, a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness, can be prevented or delayed with optimal diabetes management. Control of glucose and blood pressure helps prevent the onset and reduce the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Treating dyslipidemia in people with diabetic retinopathy may also slow progression. Early detection, monitoring, and treatment of retinopathy and maculopathy are essential for reducing the risk of vision loss and blindness.
The reported prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) has decreased by more than 50 percent since the 1980s and 1990s. However, a recent study estimated that about 20% of AI/ANs with diabetes today have retinopathy or macular edema.1
A comprehensive eye examination is necessary to screen people with diabetes for retinopathy and evaluate for other eye problems, such as glaucoma. A retinal examination (i.e., a dilated fundus examination by an eye care professional or retinal imaging with interpretation by a qualified, experienced reader) is used to detect retinopathy. Serious vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy can be nearly eliminated with timely diagnosis and treatment. According to the Diabetes Control and Outcomes Audit of the Indian Health Service, about 60% of AI/ANs with diabetes receive an eye examination each year.
At diabetes diagnosis:
Refer patients for a comprehensive dilated eye examination by an eye care professional (ophthalmologist or optometrist).
Refer patients for retinal imaging to screen for retinopathy if a comprehensive dilated eye examination is not available.
If no retinopathy is detected, screen annually using one of the following:
Comprehensive dilated eye examination by an eye care professional, who will determine whether this type of examination is needed annually or less often.
Retinal imaging
In addition to retinal imaging, patients should receive periodic eye exams by an eye care professional to evaluate for other eye problems.
Once diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed, an eye care professional should direct the monitoring interval and type of examinations needed.
Refer patients promptly to an eye care professional if retinal imaging identifies any of the following:
Severe nonproliferative retinopathy
Proliferative retinopathy
Macular edema
Pregnancy in women with diabetes increases the risk of developing and/or worsening diabetic retinopathy.
Refer women with diabetes for a comprehensive dilated eye examination
When planning to become pregnant, and/or
As early in pregnancy as possible
Monitor women for progression of diabetic retinopathy during pregnancy and for at least one year postpartum, as directed by an eye care professional.
