Table 2.

VHA Referral Guidelines for Eye Examinations in Patients with Diabetes

Indicators for referral for eye examination
>1 year since last eye examination or cannot demonstrate recent eye examination by a provider outside of the VHA
HbA1c >8.0% after 1 year of treatment
Taking insulin
Type 1 diabetes >3 years or type 2 diabetes
Blood pressure >140/90 mm Hg
Impaired renal function, proteinuria (>300 mg/24 h), elevated serum creatinine, on dialysis, or post-transplant
History of visual impairment in at least one eye, not necessarily related to hyperglycemia
Pregnancy
Have additional microvascular or macrovascular complications related to diabetes