DIABETES AND THE EYE

About four per cent of the Australian population has diabetes. Of these, more than 70 per cent will develop some changes in their eyes within 15 years of diagnosis. Optometrists play a fundamental role in diagnosing these conditions in their early stages when they respond best to treatment.

Eye changes in people with diabetes

Diabetes sometimes causes the focusing ability of the eye to weaken or to fluctuate from day to day. This characteristic has often led to optometrists diagnosing diabetes in their patients. The problem eases when blood sugar levels are controlled by a doctor.

Diabetes can also cause more dangerous changes in the eyes, primarily through its effects on the blood vessels in the retina.

Diabetic retinopathy

After diabetes has been present for some years, changes may occur at the back of the eye in the retina. Your optometrist uses an instrument called an ophthalmoscope to check for these changes.

These changes are known as diabetic retinopathy. There are two main types of this condition: non-proliferative (sometimes called background) retinopathy and proliferative retinopathy.

The risk of developing retinopathy increases with the length of time you have had diabetes. The risk is also increased when there is poor control of blood sugar levels.

Image taken from: www.nlm.nih.gov/.../ency/imagepages/17150.htm

Managing diabetic retinopathy

There is little known about prevention of any of these complications, so the best management is to have regular eye examinations so that changes can be detected and treated early.

It is advisable for all people with diabetes to have yearly eye examinations. People who have been diagnosed as having retinopathy should have eye examinations more frequently than once a year. In addition, regular visits to the general medical practitioner and/or the endocrinologist may help to control blood sugar levels.

* The above information was provided by the Optometrists Association Australia