Diabetic Eye Exams

Typically, these exams are covered by vision insurance as part of a comprehensive eye exam. However, it’s important to always check with your insurance provider to verify coverage.

It’s generally recommended to get diabetic eye exams at least annually. This way, we can regularly check for any signs of illness and make sure your eyes are healthy.

A diabetic eye exam typically takes anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. The length of the exam can vary based on which tests are performed. For example, it typically takes 10-15 minutes for eyes to dilate after an optometrist applies the special eye drops.

Yes, an optometrist can perform thorough diabetic eye exams. Your optometrist may refer you to an ophthalmologist if you need specialized treatments or advanced care.

In many cases, yes, your optometrist will choose to dilate your eyes during a diabetic eye exam. This helps your eye doctor get a better view of your retina and other parts of the eye. It may be smart to have someone drive you to and from your appointment, as you might experience blurry vision and light sensitivity after a dilated eye exam. All Visionworks locations have Digital Retinal Imaging equipment, which provides an alternative option to eye dilation, but does come at an additional cost.