We Asked an Ophthalmologist: Who REALLY Needs Eye Exams?


 2021-05-20

Kevin Blinder, MD—an ophthalmologist and ADA volunteer— recently spoke to Beyond Type 1 on the importance of annual eye exams for people living with diabetes, regardless of factors like age or A1C. 


“Regardless of your A1C, you need an annual diabetes eye exam,” says Kevin Blinder, MD, ophthalmologist at The Retina Institute and professor of Clinical Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at the Washington University School of Medicine.

Dr. Kevin Blinder ophthalmologist

“We start diabetes eye exams in young children with diabetes because we want to instill how important it is,” explains Dr. Blinder.

“Even though it’s very unlikely we’d pick up anything at that young age, it’s about getting into the habit,” adds Blinder, who performs free eye exams for campers, counselors and volunteers every year at the American Diabetes Association’s summer camp in St. Louis, MO. Recent polls indicate that one in four people are putting off their annual eye exams due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With how quickly your eye health can change, skipping your annual exam means potentially missing an opportunity to catch and treat the start of diabetes-related eye diseases.

Common causes of vision loss in people with diabetes

“The most common cause of vision loss in people with diabetes is diabetic macular edema [DME],” explains Blinder. 

DME is when the macula in your eye begins to swell as blood vessels leak fluid. The swelling and leaking fluid decrease your ability to see properly.

“Our goal is to try and stop the leaking vessels,” says Blinder. “In the old days, we did this with laser treatments, but it can leave a lot of scarring.”

Today, Blinder says Anti-VEGF injections are now the first treatment method. They work by preventing the growth of leaky blood vessels and reducing the built-up fluid in both your retina and macula. Your eyes are thoroughly numbed before the procedure to make it as comfortable as possible.

Catching DME sooner rather than later is important, reminds Blinder. The more DME progresses, the less treatable it becomes.

Can an A1c below 7% prevent diabetes eye diseases?

“Ultimately, it’s a matter of time,” explains Blinder. “Even if you’re still managing your diabetes as best you can, the longer you’ve had diabetes, the more likely you are going to develop an issue in your eyes.”

Dr. Kevin Blinder ophthalmologist

Blinder refers to the well-known DCCT study (Diabetes Control and Complications Trial) that determined maintaining an A1C below 7% or 6.5% significantly delays and reduces your risk of developing diabetes-related eye complications.

“Approximately 80 percent of people with diabetes will develop some type of diabetic eye disease,” says Blinder. “It may be 40 years from now with good management, but regardless of your A1C, you should be scheduling eye exams every year.”

“But there’s something else going on that we don’t understand, when people who’ve had diabetes for 40 or 50 years have no signs of retinopathy. We don’t know why, and it’s rare.”

While the idea of having a doctor examine your eyes can be daunting, especially if a diagnosis is made and it requires further treatment, Blinder says the treatment options are evolving quickly.

“The sooner you come in, the sooner we can treat any issues and protect your vision.”


Eye Health content is created through the ADA x BT1 Collab, with support from Focus on Diabetes™.

WRITTEN BY Ginger Vieira, POSTED 05/20/21, UPDATED 12/01/22

Ginger Vieira is an author and writer living with type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, fibromyalgia and hypothyroidism. She’s authored a variety of books, including “When I Go Low” (for kids), “Pregnancy with Type 1 Diabetes,” and “Dealing with Diabetes Burnout.” Before joining Beyond Type 1 as digital content manager, Ginger wrote for Diabetes Mine, Healthline, T1D Exchange, Diabetes Strong and more! In her free time, she is jumping rope, scootering with her daughters, or walking with her handsome fella and their dog.