What is Diabetic Eye Disease?
Diabetic eye disease is a leading cause of blindness in the UK. Diabetes can affect the blood vessels, causing them to leak in the back of the eye (the retina); this is known as diabetic retinopathy.
Having your eyes screened regularly will help detect any changes caused by diabetes. Even if you feel your vision is fine, it is still important that you attend eye screening.
Diabetic eye disease can harm your vision, though you may not experience any symptoms until it is at an advanced stage. All people with diabetes are at some risk of getting diabetic retinopathy.
Please remember to get professional advice if you have any problems with your sight such as:
- Your vision suddenly getting worse, distorted, or losing all or part of your vision
- Getting blurring that is not temporary or related to a change in blood glucose level
- Getting a sudden increase in floaters or seeing flashing lights in your vision
Diabetic retinopathy can get worse over time, but the following measures can help to reduce risks of developing sight-threatening disease:
- Control your blood glucose as effectively as possible
- Keep your regular screening appointments
- Have your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked regularly
About your Screening Visit
Feedback from patients
We would also appreciate your feedback once you have been screened. It really helps us to know how you felt and it only takes a couple of minutes.
Additional Screening Tests
Digital Surveillance Appointment
Digital Surveillance appointments are made to monitor any changes found during your annual photographic screen. Photos are taken at set intervals and are checked by specialists. These tests are done at hospital & clinic sites. . This test was previously called Ophthalmic Photographic Diabetic Review (OPDR).
Slit Lamp Assessment
Slit Lamp appointments are made if photographs taken during your last screen did not give a clear enough view of the back of your eyes. The Slit Lamp allows for a 3D examination of the back of your eyes.
Eye Screening During Pregnancy
When you are pregnant your body goes through a lot of changes. These changes can cause diabetes to damage your eyes. All antenatal patients should be screened within their first trimester and then at set intervals during pregnancy.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Service
OCT is used for evaluating the layered structure of the back of your eye (the retina) and is used to determine if there is any ‘swelling’ (macular oedema). Macular oedema is harder to detect on the traditional 2D digital photographs used for screening.
Other links
The Diabetes Dept at our Good Hope Hospital have produced more information for patients that includes more about retinopathy and the causes of diabetes.
Diabetes UK is the leading charity that cares for, connects with and campaigns on behalf of every person affected by or at risk of diabetes.