Diabetic Retinopathy
Also known as: DR, Background Retinopathy, PDR
See Retinopathy — damage to the eye's retina from chronic high blood glucose, a leading cause of adult blindness.
See the main Retinopathy entry for detailed information. Diabetic retinopathy is staged as non-proliferative (NPDR, mild through severe) and proliferative (PDR). Diabetic macular edema (DME — note: same acronym as Durable Medical Equipment, different meaning) can occur at any stage.
Anual dilated eye exams are the gold standard screening tool. Early retinopathy often has no symptoms; vision loss from PDR or DME can develop rapidly without warning.
For supply coverage purposes, documented visual impairment from retinopathy supports medical necessity claims for CGM (as meter reading becomes unreliable) and may support claims for talking meters or non-visual feedback devices.
Frequently asked
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
See Retinopathy — damage to the eye's retina from chronic high blood glucose, a leading cause of adult blindness. See the main Retinopathy entry for detailed information. Diabetic retinopathy is staged as non-proliferative (NPDR, mild through severe) and proliferative (PDR). Diabetic macular edema (DME — note: same acronym as Durable Medical Equipment, different meaning) can occur at any stage.
How does Diabetic Retinopathy relate to Medicare coverage?
Medicare Part B covers most durable medical equipment related to Diabetic Retinopathy. Contact us to verify your specific coverage for related diabetic supplies.
Where can I get diabetic supplies related to Diabetic Retinopathy in Phoenix?
We deliver Medicare-covered diabetic supplies throughout the Phoenix metro area. Call us or complete the form above to verify your coverage.