Diabetic eye disease is a complication of diabetes damaging the back of the eye or the retina.
High, uncontrolled blood sugar levels, but also the duration (number of years) of diabetes suffered by the patient is the main cause of this disease.
Though it takes several years for diabetic retinopathy to get sight threatening, it can cause blindness if left undiagnosed and untreated.
To minimise the risk of this happening, apart from controlling blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol-it is essential to have annual diabetic eye screening.
Regular monitoring and early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy can help avoid worsening of the condition with the help of life style changes and eye treatments.
Treatments for diabetic retinopathy include
- Laser treatment – to the central part (macular laser) and peripheral retina preventing vision loss
- Eye injections – called as Anti VegF intravitreal injections and steroid implants given at regular time intervals, over a certain period to treat diabetic maculopathy.
- Cataract surgery in diabetics can be complex and worsen diabetes at the back of the eye. Combined care with intravitreal injections and implants at the same time as cataract extraction ensures better results.
- Of utmost importance is control of blood sugar levels, which helps prevent worsening of diabetes in the eye
Thus, screening, prevention and multidisciplinary care are key to optimising outcomes in diabetic eye disease.