Preparing questions in advance can help patients have more meaningful discussions with their physicians regarding their conditions. Patients may wish to ask their doctor the following questions about diabetic retinopathy:

1. Do I have or am I at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy?
   
   
2. How often should I have my eyes examined, and by whom?
   
   
3. What should my eye exam include?
   
   
4. What other tests for diabetic retinopathy might I need to undergo, and what do they involve?
   
   
5. What do my test results show?
   
   
6. Can my vision loss be reversed or compensated for?
   
   
7. Can treatment help me avoid further loss of vision?
   
   
8. What are my treatment options, and which do you recommend?
   
   
9. What is the expected course of my retinopathy? What are my odds of going blind?
   
   
10. What is the definition of legal blindness, and what are my rights if I develop this condition?
    
    
11. If I am risk of losing my eyesight, should I prepare now by starting low-vision therapy, learning Braille or taking other measures?
    
    
12. What sort of glucose control and blood pressure should I aim for to reduce my risk of diabetic retinopathy?
    
    
13. Should I quit smoking or make any other changes to fight diabetic retinopathy?
    
    
14. Does any recent research into diabetic retinopathy have implications for me? Are any drug treatments that may benefit me near approval?