The short answer
Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels at the back of the eye, a condition called diabetic retinopathy, and it often causes no symptoms until it is advanced. Everyone with diabetes should have the back of the eye examined regularly, usually once a year, even if they see well. Found early, the damage can be watched or treated to protect your sight.
See eye doctors in KadunaMedically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Why you cannot rely on your own sight
Diabetic retinopathy usually develops slowly and painlessly. Your vision can stay clear while changes build up at the back of the eye. By the time sight is blurred, treatment may only be able to stop it getting worse. A regular check finds the changes while there is still time.
What the check involves
Drops are put in to widen your pupils, and after a short wait the doctor examines the retina with a lens and a light, or takes photographs of it. The drops can sting for a moment and will blur your sight for some hours. Do not drive yourself home, and bring sunglasses for the glare.
What lowers your risk
The eye check works alongside the rest of your diabetes care:
- Keeping your blood sugar as close to your target as you safely can
- Keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol under control
- Taking your diabetes medicines as prescribed, including during Ramadan fasting, with your doctor's advice on adjusting them
- Not smoking
- Going for every eye check, even when your sight seems fine
If changes are found
Early changes are usually watched with more frequent checks. If they progress, treatment may include laser to the retina or injections into the eye, which aim to stop the damage getting worse. Mezo's Kaduna eye practice offers retinal laser treatment.
Where to be seen in Kaduna on Mezo
Request an eye appointment in Kaduna through Mezo. The care team arranges it with a consultant ophthalmologist and confirms where and when, or you can see an eye doctor by video first.
Common questions
I see perfectly well. Do I still need the check?
Yes. Diabetic eye damage often causes no symptoms until it is advanced. Good sight today does not mean the back of the eye is healthy.
Is the check the same as a glasses test?
No. A glasses test measures how well you see. A diabetic eye check looks at the retina, usually with the pupils widened. Ask for it by name.
Should I see a doctor urgently?
If your vision drops suddenly, you see a shower of dark spots or a shadow across your sight, go to an eye emergency service the same day. These can be signs of bleeding inside the eye or a detached retina.
Will my HMO cover the check?
If you have an HMO, eligible plans can cover eye care on Mezo, and the Mezo desk files the prior authorisation with your HMO for you.
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Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Diabetic retinopathy. NHS. Patient information.
- Type 2 diabetes in adults: management (NG28). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
Links last checked 23 October 2026.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Where your centre's instructions differ from this guide, follow theirs.