Diabetic eye disease
Disease at the back of the eye caused by diabetes is called ‘Diabetic Retinopathy’.
Diabetes is a health condition where the sugar (glucose) levels in the body are too high.
There are a few different types of diabetes, the most common being Type 1 and Type 2.
When someone has had diabetes for a very long time, or does not adequately control their sugar levels, damage can start to occur in different areas of the body, one being at the back of the eye.
For more information on diabetes and its impact on your general health, please see your GP or visit the Diabetes Australia Webpage
Diabetes is a disease that can affect many body systems, including in the eye. This is mostly due to the impact diabetes has on the vascular system when it is poorly controlled or is longstanding.
The most common complication of diabetes in the eye is Diabetic Retinopathy, where there are changes at the back of the eye.
Other complications in the eye include changes to the lens which may cause blurry vision or frequent glasses prescription updates and changes to the muscles around the eyes which may cause double vision.
Most commonly diabetes will cause Retinopathy, which is damage to the the back of the eye due to poorly functioning, damaged or new leaky vessels. About 1/3 of all people with diabetes will have Diabetic Retinopathy and in around 10% of those people it will be sight threatening.
It is important to have an ocular health check up every 12 months if you are Diabetic as you may not not notice the changes to you vision. If you have any concerns please talk to our friendly staff.
The most important management if you have Diabetic Retinopathy is to ensure your diabetes is well controlled and that any other health conditions such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol are also well managed.
If you are unsure or have any concerns about your diabetic control please see your GP.
Depending on the type and severity of the Diabetic Retinopathy there may be some ophthalmic treatment available.
These treatments may consist of laser treatment or injections which can be done by our specialists in our clinic if needed. Some complications of Diabetic Retinopathy require further surgical interventions which our surgeons are also specialized in performing.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact our friendly staff.
