If you are a diabetic, your physician has probably already informed you of the risks that poorly controlled diabetes can pose to your kidneys and your eyes. Left unchecked, poorly controlled diabetes can cause permanent damage to your retina, which may eventually lead to blindness.
For diabetics of all ages, the standard recommendation is to have at least an annual eye exam by an optometrist.
In Ontario, eye exams for diabetics are covered by OHIP.