If someone has diabetes and macular degeneration, does he still need to have an annual dilated eye exam?

YES!: These two diseases account for a large percentage of permanent vision loss. For diabetes and macular degeneration we are concerned about blood vessel growth and leakage. There are new medications which can address this. Always be seen for any visual changes and if you have these diseases, at least annually.

To see the retina : So, the eye physician can see the retina. The retina is where diabetes and macular degeneration damage occurs.

Absolutely: The only way to diagnose (and potentially treat) either of these processes that impact the retina in the back of the eye is through a dilated exam. However if one eye doctor (for example a retina specialist) is following the status of the eyes and these diseases, it is probably not necessary for another eye doctor to also perform a dilated eye exam (for example when getting measured for glasses).

Diab + AMD need exam: Someone with both diabetes and macular degeneration should be checked at least annually with a dilated exam and perhaps more frequently depending on what is found by the Eye MD