[header] How to treat diabetic retinopathy [title] Find out how serious your diabetic retinopathy is. [step] There are four stages of diabetic retinopathy, with the first being the least severe and the fourth being the most severe. When you visit your optometrist, tell them that you have diabetes. 
They can perform a basic dilated eye exam. They may refer you to a more specialized eye doctor, an ophthalmologist, who can let you know how serious your condition is.