World Diabetes Day: Protect Your Eyes

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can cause vision loss or blindness if left untreated.  One of the most common complications is diabetic retinopathy. This condition causes injury/damage to the small blood vessels in the retina (the inner layer of the eye). Over time, this damage can result in visual deterioration and ultimately loss of vision. Unfortunately, diabetic retinopathy has no early symptoms, making regular eye examinations essential for early detection and treatment.

People with diabetes are at higher risk of developing cataracts (a clouding of the lens that affects the quality of vision), glaucoma (optic nerve damage leading to tunnel type of vision) and retinal detachment (scarring that may cause part of the retina to pull away from the back of your eyeball causing visual impairment).

When diabetic eye disease is caught early, treatment can help prevent or reduce the changes of irreversible vision loss.

How to prevent Diabetic Eye disease?

• Go for regular eye screening.
• Cover one eye at a time and spot changes in your eyesight. Look out for signs for alarm such as floaters, shadows or missing areas of vision, dimmer vision, poor vision in the dark and blurry central vision.
• Attend diabetic clinic, make sure you keep your blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol under control and take you diabetes medication as advised by your medical professional.
• Eat a balanced and healthy diet.
• Exercise and maintain hydration.

The eye exam for people with diabetes is different from routine eye testing. Please make sure you tell your provider you have diabetes or any associated medical health issues.

If you are diabetic and have had no eye test and/or are due for an eye examination and/or you have any of the above alarm signs listed above, please make sure to book an eye check-up as soon as possible.

Author: Dr Keti Pachkoria, Consultant Ophthalmologist

At GibMed, the diabetic eye screening is an ophthalmologist-led service, so you will be in safe hands. Dr Keti Pachkoria is a consultant ophthalmologist, fellowship trained in medical retina at Moorfields Eye Hospital. She has ample experience in managing retinal eye conditions including diabetic eye diseases. Dr Keti can screen, diagnose and treat your ocular issues and most importantly provide you accessible diabetic eye care with continuous follow-ups.

To book an appointment with Dr Pachkoria, or for further information, please call 200 49999, or email info@smg.gi.