People with diabetes and no retinopathy are usually screened every one to two years, depending on national programme and risk. Any retinopathy shortens the interval, and maculopathy or proliferative change needs referral rather than repeat screening.
Pregnancy, rapid lowering of HbA1c, and poorly controlled blood pressure all accelerate retinopathy and justify closer review.
- No retinopathy: screen every one to two years per your programme.
- Any retinopathy: shorten the interval.
- Maculopathy or proliferative change: refer, do not just rescreen.
- Review sooner in pregnancy or after a rapid fall in HbA1c.
Why it matters
The interval that suits a normal retina is too long for one that has started to change.
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