Friday 14 October 2016

Regular eye checkup essential for all patients with diabetes

Regular eye checkup essential for all patients with diabetes   Diabetic retinopathy is the major cause of blindness in patients with diabetes mellitus. But, it is largely a preventable or avoidable cause of blindness. Poor glycemic control, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels increase the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.   In most patients, diabetic retinopathy to begin with is usually asymptomatic or may cause only very mild symptoms. Hence, many people with diabetes remain unaware until the disease is at a very advanced stage, when it is too late for treatment. Vision that has been lost cannot be restored.   Hence, regular screening of patients with diabetes to detect retinopathy and early intervention is very important to prevent visual impairment and blindness.   The American Diabetes Association (ADA) 2016 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes recommend optimal glycemic control including blood pressure and serum lipid control to reduce the risk or slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy. For screening, the ADA recommends as follows:   ·         “Patients with type 1 diabetes should have an initial dilated and comprehensive eye examination within 5 years after the diagnosis of diabetes. ·         Patients with type 2 diabetes should have an initial dilated and comprehensive eye examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist at the time of the diabetes diagnosis as they may have had years of undiagnosed diabetes.  ·         If there is no evidence of retinopathy for one or more annual eye exams, then exams every 2 years may be considered. If any level of diabetic retinopathy is present, subsequent dilated retinal examinations for patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes should be repeated at least annually by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. If retinopathy is progressing or sight-threatening, then examinations will be required more frequently.”   Diabetic retinopathy is included in the list of eye diseases that can be prevented and treated if detected early under ‘VISION 2020: The Right to Sight’ global joint initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). The initiative aims to “Intensify and accelerate prevention of blindness activities so as to achieve the goal of eliminating avoidable blindness by 2020.”

2 comments:

  1. Excellent Blog! I am Impressed after reading your blog. Thank you for sharing wonderful information. Keep up the great writing.
    Diabetic Health Check up .

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  2. Really nice Blog. After reading your blog, I have got knowledge about, what is the importance of regular health checkups. Thanks for sharing useful information.
    Regular Health Checkups

    ReplyDelete