Get a dilated eye exam right after a diabetes diagnosis, then follow your doctor’s recommended schedule; check your feet once a year.

7. Get a dilated eye exam right after a diabetes diagnosis, then follow your doctor’s recommended schedule; check your feet once a year.

Cost: A single dilated eye exam costs anywhere from a few dozen to several hundred yuan. Foot exams are usually included in routine outpatient visits, so they don’t incur extra charges. The real challenge is remembering to get these checks done even when neither your eyes nor feet feel any discomfort.

In plain terms: Diabetes can damage both the retina and feet, but there are almost no noticeable symptoms until the damage becomes severe enough to cause vision loss or foot ulcers. Early detection makes treatment possible. For type 2 diabetes, a dilated eye exam should be done right after diagnosis; for type 1 diabetes, it’s recommended to start five years after onset. If previous tests showed no issues and blood sugar levels remain well-controlled, the interval can be extended to once every one or two years. Foot checks should be done annually.

Benefit: Retinal damage caused by diabetes is known as diabetic retinopathy, while damage to the feet is called diabetic foot disease. Both conditions rarely show any symptoms until they reach an advanced stage. Detecting them early gives patients a much better chance of effective treatment. Once vision is lost or foot ulcers develop, it’s usually too late to reverse the damage.

Evidence grade: A

Sources: American Diabetes Association (2026). Diabetes Care: "People with type 2 diabetes should have an initial dilated and comprehensive eye examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist at the time of the diabetes diagnosis." Adults with type 1 diabetes should have an initial dilated and comprehensive eye examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist 5 years after the onset of diabetes.""If there is no evidence of retinopathy from one or more annual eye exams and glycemic indicators are within the goal range, then screening every 1–2 years may be considered.""Perform a comprehensive foot evaluation at least annually to identify risk factors for ulcers and amputations."<https://doi.org/10.2337/dc26-S012>

Notes: Type 2 diabetics should get a dilated eye exam right after diagnosis; type 1 diabetics should start five years after onset. The difference exists because type 2 diabetes often develops gradually over several years without obvious signs. If previous tests showed no problems and blood sugar stays under control, the interval can be extended to once every one to two years. People who notice reduced sensation in their feet should inspect the soles daily, even using a mirror if needed.