Actually for a yearly eye exam one should be dilated so that the doctor can see all parts of the retina. I was an ophthalmic photograph for 30 years and like your doctor said they can pick up early signs of disease damage in the eye. What doctors see in the eye of diabetics is a look at what is happening in the kidneys. Anyone who has been diabetic for 5 years should be seen by an ophthalmologist who specializes in retinal disorders.
As for vein occlusions one doesn’t typically see flashes of light. That happens in retinal or vitreous humor detachments. VH detachments are usually not serious, but if one sees lots of floaters they should get checked out immediately. The detachment might cause the retina to detach, but most often they are benign. But still should be checked out within 3 days just in case.
Actually for a yearly eye exam one should be dilated so that the doctor can see all parts of the retina. I was an ophthalmic photograph for 30 years and like your doctor said they can pick up early signs of disease damage in the eye. What doctors see in the eye of diabetics is a look at what is happening in the kidneys. Anyone who has been diabetic for 5 years should be seen by an ophthalmologist who specializes in retinal disorders.
As for vein occlusions one doesn’t typically see flashes of light. That happens in retinal or vitreous humor detachments. VH detachments are usually not serious, but if one sees lots of floaters they should get checked out immediately. The detachment might cause the retina to detach, but most often they are benign. But still should be checked out within 3 days just in case.