Diabetic Retinopathy Follow Up

Monitoring

The follow-up interval recommended for the following diabetic retinopathy severity:

• 1-2 years in patients with no apparent diabetic retinopathy or minimal nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy and without DME
• 6-12 months for mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy without CSME
• 3-6 months for moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy
• <3 months for severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy
• <1 month for proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Recommended follow-up interval for patients with DME on initial screening:

• 2-6 months for noncentral-involved DME
• 1-3 months for central-involved DME

Post-op Follow-up and Follow-up After Screening  

A history of changes in symptoms, glycemic status (HbA1c), and systemic status (pregnancy, blood pressure, serum cholesterol, renal status) should be documented. The follow-up exam should include visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy with iris examination, IOP determination, gonioscopy (if iris neovascularization is suspected or present or if IOP is increased), stereoscopic examination of the posterior pole after dilation of the pupils, OCT when necessary, and peripheral retina and vitreous examination, when indicated.