Encourage annual retinal eye exams for diabetic patients.

Help stop vision loss due to diabetes-related retinopathy. 

Did you know that the rate of eye complications in patients with diabetes increased by 54% from 2009–2018? With roughly a quarter of the population aged 65 and older having diabetes, that’s a statistic that shouldn’t be ignored.¹

Vision loss can take a significant toll on a patient’s physical and mental health, including adding challenges to managing other health conditions. Because retinopathy is generally asymptomatic until later stages, early identification and treatment is critical in slowing or stopping the progression of diabetic retinopathy.

We encourage our network PCPs and endocrinologists to educate and support our members in getting recommended annual retinal eye exams. To support this goal, Martin’s Point Health Plan sent out a communication in July to eye care providers who have previously seen any of our members to encourage them to get our members in for their retinal eye exam if they are due.

Please consider discussing this important preventive care with your diabetic patients.

¹ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024). CDC Eye Complications Research .