The short answer
Everyone with diabetes, type 1 or type 2, should have a full retinal check with dilating drops or retinal photographs at least once a year, and more often if any changes are found, during pregnancy, or if sugar control has been poor. Diabetic retinopathy usually causes no symptoms until it is advanced, so you cannot rely on how well you see. Found early, it can be treated to protect sight.
See a verified eye specialistMedically 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 the check matters even if you see well
Diabetes damages the small blood vessels in the retina. Early on they leak or bulge, later they can close off, and the eye may grow fragile new vessels that bleed. Swelling can collect at the macula, the centre of the retina used for reading and faces. Much of this happens before sight changes. A yearly check finds it while treatment can still work well.
What the check involves
- A vision test with your glasses
- Drops to widen your pupils. They sting briefly and blur your sight for a few hours, so do not drive yourself home
- Photographs of the retina, or a direct look with a lens
- Sometimes an OCT scan of the macula to look for swelling
When to be checked more often
- Any retinopathy already found
- Pregnancy, or planning one
- Long-standing diabetes, or high HbA1c
- High blood pressure or kidney disease
- After a big, quick improvement in sugar control, which can briefly worsen retinopathy
What you can do between checks
Keep blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol as close to your targets as you can, take your medicines, and stop smoking. These lower the risk of retinopathy getting worse. Bring your latest readings to the eye check.
See an eye doctor promptly, not at your next routine visit, if your sight suddenly blurs, you see dark spots or floaters, or you have trouble seeing at night.
What it costs on Mezo
One fixed price, paid online.
Common questions
I was only diagnosed with diabetes last month. Do I need an eye check now?
Yes. People with type 2 diabetes may have had it for years before diagnosis, so the first check should be soon after diagnosis.
My optician checked my eyes. Is that enough?
A check that includes dilated retinal examination or retinal photographs is what matters. Ask whether the retina was examined with your pupils dilated.
Can good sugar control reverse retinopathy?
Good control slows it and lowers the chance of it getting worse. Established damage may need laser or injections.
Can I book this on Mezo?
Yes. Book an in-person examination with a verified eye specialist. If treatment is needed, you get a written quote first.
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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 eye screening. NHS. Patient information.
- Type 2 diabetes in adults: management. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
- What is diabetic retinopathy?. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Patient information.
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.