Why checks matter
Early diabetic eye disease usually has no symptoms. By the time sight blurs, damage may be well advanced. A dilated eye check lets the doctor look at the retina before you notice anything. Have one when diabetes is found, then at least once a year, or as often as Dr. Kumar advises.
What can go wrong
Vessels can leak fluid, which swells the centre of the retina (macular oedema, say: oh-DEE-muh) and blurs reading and faces. Weak new vessels can grow and bleed. Over time this can lead to serious loss of sight.
What we do
Dr. Kumar screens the retina, and may advise laser to seal leaking vessels, or injections of medicine into the eye to settle swelling. Diabetic eye disease is a long-term problem. Treatment aims to protect the sight you have, and it works best with good control of sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol.
What helps you most
- Keep blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol in the range your physician sets.
- Take your diabetes medicines regularly and do not stop without asking.
- Bring your recent sugar and HbA1c reports to every eye visit.
- Do not smoke.
Honest risks and warning signs
- Laser: some loss of side or night vision, and mild pain or glare after it.
- Injections: eye redness, a floating spot, and rarely infection or a rise in pressure.
- Call us at once if: you see a sudden shower of dark floaters, a curtain over part of your vision, a sudden loss of sight, or increasing pain or redness after a treatment.