Could you tell me if someone has diabetes and macular degeneration, do they still need to have a yearly dilated eye exam?

Eye exam.: Most definately they should have an annual dilated eye exam!

Eye health: Someone with diabetes and no eye complications (diabetic retinopathy) should have a complete dilated exam once a year. Persons with macular degeneration should have a dilated exam at least twice a year if they have the dry type and more often if they have the wet (exudative) type, especially if they are undergoing active treatment with Lucentis (ranibizumab) or avastin.

See a retina special: Diabetics need an at least annual dilated retinal examinations by an eye doctor. This may need to be more frequent depending on the severity of the diabetic retinopathy. Macular degeneration needs a dilated retinal examination more than once a year (it depends on the severity). See a retina specialist.