Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes is a serious potentially killer disease which is impacting more and more Irish people.  The number of undiagnosed diabetes sufferers is potentially hundreds of thousands.  In one recent pilot screening by the VHI of 2,000 of their subscribers over 47 years of age, living close to two Dublin Hospitals, they found that two thirds of those screened were at risk of developing diabetes.

Diabetic Retinopathy left untreated is one of the most common causes of blindness in the working population.  It does not generally affect your sight until the changes are gone quiet far. In this situation the effectivness of laser treatment at reducing further sight loss is much less effective.

When diabetes affects small blood vessels in the part of your eye known as the retina, it is known as diabetic retinopathy.  You are at increased risk of suffering from diabetic retinopathy if:

a) You have had diabetes for some time

b) Your blood glucose levels are poorly controlled

c) You have high blood pressure

d) You are pregnant

e) You are taking insulin

Many countries have diabetic screening programmes. In Ireland there are ongoing discussions and now a pilot screening programme. However it is still up to you to take responsiblity for your own health and have the screening carried out.

All of our testing rooms are equipped with the latest technology in fundus photography which is one of the key methods of recording, viewing and tracking changes to the back of the eye.  Our enhanced eye examination screens for Diabetic Retinopathy as standard among many other diseases.

For further information please enquire from any of the optometrist team.