keenah

3 years

I’m under follow up with my doctor because i have diabetes

Doctor. I’m under follow up with my doctor because i have diabetes. He told me soon i’ll be scheduled for eye check up. Why is eye health an ongoing screening , and how important is it?

Dr Ramzdhan,

4 years

Hi, thank you for your question.
The aim of a diabetic eye screening is to check for eye problems caused by diabetes, known as diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the major complications of diabetes resulting in irreversible blindness. It is a disease of the retina which involves damage to the blood vessels at the back of the eyes.

In the early stage of diabetic retinopathy, patients are asymptomatic. As the disease progresses, patients start noticing gradual or sudden blurring of vision, ‘floaters’ (spots in the visual field), and distortion of straight lines. Risk factors of diabetic retinopathy include duration of diabetes, poor control of diabetes, obesity, smoking, inactive lifestyle, pregnancy and co-morbidities such as hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease and heart disease.

All patients are at risk of developing this problem. Nearly all type 1 diabetes patients and 2/3 of type 2 diabetes patients develop some degree of diabetic retinopathy within the next 20 years following diagnosis of diabetes. Approximately 15,000 to 39,000 Malaysians went blind because of this and it is the commonest cause of visual loss among Malaysians.

Diabetic eye screening is essential to identify people at risk of visual loss, so that they can be treated earlier. The eye test is able to detect abnormalities before the disease affect your eyesight. Pictures of the back of the eyes will be taken to look for any abnormalities.

Adults with type 1 diabetes will have their first screening within 3 years following diagnosis, while adults with type 2 diabetes will have their first screening at the time of diagnosis. Follow-up schedule will depend on the severity of their condition. If they do not have diabetic retinopathy, they should have their eyes rechecked yearly after the first screening.

Please click on this link (DoctorOnCall) to talk to us privately online and discuss further about your inquiries. Thank you.

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