Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness in Western countries due to diabetic retinopathy, a common complication that damages the retina (1,2). The American Diabetes Association recommends annual eye exams starting within five years of diagnosis for type 1 diabetes and at diagnosis for type 2 diabetes. For well-controlled patients with normal exams, the frequency may be extended to every two years (3). In our healthcare system, quality standards define ophthalmology visit frequency based on diabetes duration: annually for patients with diabetes lasting over 10 years, and every two years for others. Because diabetic retinopathy can be asymptomatic until advanced stages, timely diagnosis and treatment (typically laser photocoagulation) are essential to reduce the risk of vision impairment and blindness.

Note:

1. Since eye exam results are not coded in patients’ medical records, the denominator includes all patients who have visited an ophthalmologist at the recommended intervals, regardless of the visit’s purpose or the specific examination performed

2. A patient is considered to have long-standing diabetes if they purchased diabetes medications at least 10 years prior to the current measurement year. The data required to distinguish between patients with long-standing diabetes and other diabetes patients have been available since the 2012 measurement year.