If you have diabetes, regular eye check-ups are one of the most important steps you can take to protect your vision. High blood sugar can silently damage the tiny blood vessels in your eyes, leading to diabetic retinopathy, one of the leading causes of blindness.
This is why doctors strongly recommend yearly screenings. If you're preparing for your first diabetic eye exam and wondering what really happens, this guide will explain everything in simple language.
As the best eye hospital in Patna, Laxmi Netralaya offers advanced diabetic retinopathy treatment in Patna under experienced specialists. Here’s a complete, step-by-step explanation of what to expect during your screening.
Your visit begins with a quick registration.
The medical team will ask about:
● Your diabetic history
● Current medications
● Any vision problems you are experiencing
This is one of the simplest parts of the exam.
You will be asked to read letters on a chart (the familiar “eye test”).
This helps the doctor understand:
● How clearly you see
● Whether your vision has changed since your last visit
This step is painless and takes only a few minutes.
Using a gentle puff of air or a small device, your eye pressure will be checked.
This helps detect conditions like glaucoma, which is more common in diabetic patients.
Your doctor will put eye drops to widen (dilate) your pupils.
● Temporary blurriness
● Sensitivity to bright light
● Mild discomfort for 3–4 hours
● This step allows the doctor to examine the back of your eye in detail.
Many patients ask, “Is a diabetic eye exam painful?”
The answer is no—dilation may feel slightly uncomfortable, but it is not painful.
Once your pupils are dilated, the diabetic retinopathy specialist in Patna will check the inside of your eyes using a bright light and a special lens.
The doctor will look for:
● Leaking or damaged blood vessels
● Formation of new abnormal vessels
● Swelling in the retina
● Bleeding inside the eye
● Early signs of diabetic macular edema
To get a clearer view, the doctor may use:
● Fundus Photography – Takes detailed pictures of the retina
● OCT Scan – Shows the retina’s layers and detects swelling
These tests are painless, quick, and extremely accurate. They help in diagnosing early-stage diabetic retinopathy.
After the tests, the doctor will:
● Explain your reports
● Tell you what stage (if any) of diabetic retinopathy you have
● Suggest lifestyle changes
● Recommend follow-up schedules
● Discuss treatments (if required) like injections, laser, or surgery
This is where you understand exactly what happens during a diabetic eye exam and what your eyes need next.
On average, a full screening takes 45 minutes to 2 hours, mainly because dilation needs time to work.
Here are simple diabetic eye care tips before your exam:
● Bring your previous reports
● Bring sunglasses (your eyes will be sensitive after dilation)
● Arrange someone to drive you home if possible
● Take your regular diabetes medications on time
It includes vision tests, pressure check, dilation, retinal examination, and imaging tests like OCT or fundus photography.
Once every 12 months, or more frequently if you have existing eye damage.
No. You may feel slight discomfort during dilation, but the procedure is not painful.
The doctor checks for bleeding, swelling, damaged vessels, glaucoma, and early signs of macular edema.
You receive a detailed consultation and a personalised care plan from your doctor.
If you're searching for the best eye hospital in Patna for a safe and complete diabetic screening, Laxmi Netralaya offers advanced facilities and expert care from the top diabetic retinopathy specialist in Patna.
Diabetes can cause vision loss eventually in each and every individual if not strictly controlled. So, it is very important to get a regular annual checkup from a diabetic eye retina specialist. In today’s world, with newer advances in the management of diabetic eye disease, complete vision can be effectively prevented if treated on time.