How Do Doctors Diagnose Diabetic Retinopathy?

Aug. 24, 2009— -- Question: How do doctors diagnose diabetic retinopathy?

Answer: So doctors diagnose diabetic retinopathy by examining the inside of the eye and looking at the retina. In order to examine the retina, you have to have the pupil of your eye dilated with drops. The drops open the pupil wide so the doctor can get a better look inside. The doctors then examine the retina with special instruments.

In some cases, patients may not be able to get to a doctor. They may live in a remote area or area where a lot of retinal specialists or ophthalmologists are not available, and in some cases there are screenings that are done through photography of the eye. You can go to some centers and have photographs taken of your eye which are then sent to experts who review them for presence of diabetic retinopathy.