With regular eye examinations, your optometrist can diagnose diabetic eye disease at an early stage. Treatment at this stage can often prevent vision loss. Looking at the blood vessels in the eye also gives an indication of how diabetes is affecting other parts of the body. During the exam,your optometrist will assess your overall eye health, including a detailed look at the inside of your eye. Changes inside the retina can offer an early warning sign of damage to the heart, kidneys, and elsewhere in the body.Your optometrist will dilate your pupils with eye drops to get a good look at the back of your eye. Dilation can cause blurry vision for several hours, so someone should be available to drive you home from your exam.