Diabetic eye disease
Diabetes affects the small blood vessels supplying the retina. The blood vessels can blocked, leak or grow haphazardly. Damage to these vessels (retinopathy) can lead to blindness if left untreated. In type 1 diabetes, 13% of patients have retinopthy at 5 years and 90% after 10 – 15 years, whereas in type 2 patients on oral agents, 24% have retinopathy at 5 years. Treatment includes tight blood glucose control and some patients may need retinal laser photocoagulation.
There is also an increased risk of cataracts, maculopathy and open angle glaucoma among diabetic patients. In fact, diabetes is the commonest cause of blindness in adults.
Annual screening of diabetic eye complication is recommended. It involves checking visual acuity with and without a pin-hole to look for early maculopathy, and funduscopy to detect retinopathy (damage to the back of the eye). In some centres, digital fundal cameras have been to to screen for retinopathy. |
