Every diabetic patient should have a yearly, dilated retinal examination by an eye care professional. Retina specialists are ophthalmologists specifically trained to diagnose and treat diabetic retinopathy. If diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed, follow-up examinations with a retina specialist would be needed more frequently than once a year. Diabetic Retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the United States for persons aged 65 or less. Much of the vision loss is preventable with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.