Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai provides eye health expertise to the UAE National Campaign for Diabetes Awareness

The Hospital will participate in the programme of events to raise awareness and highlight prevention of the disease, which can lead to serious vision complications for patients. Planned activities include conferences, advertising and community information, as well as the publication of a fact book on diabetes.

To mark World Diabetes Day 2009 (November 14th), Dr Chris Canning, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, offers his advice on diabetic retinopathy, one of the most common complications caused by diabetes and which can lead to permanent loss of vision if not treated.

"Vision related problems are some of the most common and serious complications of diabetes," says Dr Canning. "Of course, the single most effective treatment for diabetic eye disease is prevention - good control of diabetes and any associated high blood pressure can delay or avoid significant eye problems. Prevention of diabetic eye disease starts with regular eye examinations which can so often provide an indicator of the diabetes or blood pressure control. Regular screening should begin from an early age regardless if there are vision symptoms or not".

Diabetic retinopathy

Every cell in the eye (and, indeed, the body) is affected by the biochemical changes of diabetes. In practice, however, retinopathy is a disease of blood vessels - sometimes they wither away, sometimes they leak fluids when they shouldn't and sometimes they grow where they do not belong. The blood vessels in the retina are uniquely prone to going wrong in this way, although the same changes can be found elsewhere in the body.

Treating diabetic retinopathy

Once retinopathy is present, direct eye treatment may be needed. The type of treatment depends on the problem. There is no effective treatment for the parts of the retina where blood vessels have disappeared. Laser photocoagulation remains the first line of treatment for both new and leaking vessels. Steroids and VEGF blocking agents of various sorts also have a role. Where the eye disease is advanced then surgery can help.

Prevention tips for patients at risk of diabetic retinopathy
1. Control the diabetes as well as you can
2. Control high blood pressure
3. Do not smoke
4. Get regular eye checks
5. Take charge of your own healthcare

Dr Canning adds: "Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai is honoured and delighted to be supporting the UAE Ministry of Health's campaign against diabetes and we look forward to playing our full part by actively sharing our knowledge, expertise and experience of diabetes related vision problems with the community."