Person—blindness, code N

DSS specific information:

Patients with diabetes have an increased risk of developing several eye complications including retinopathy, cataract and glaucoma that lead to loss of vision.

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness. Retinopathy is characterised by proliferation of the retina's blood vessels, which may project into the vitreous, causing vitreous haemorrhage, proliferation of fibrous tissue and retinal detachment. It is often accompanied by microaneurysms and macular oedema, which can express as blurred vision. The prevalence of retinopathy increases with increasing duration of diabetes. In the early stage, retinopathy is asymptomatic. Up to 20% of people with diabetes Type 2 have retinopathy at the time of diagnosis of diabetes. The cumulative prevalence of proliferation diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema after 20 years of type 1 diabetes is about 40%. The Diabetic Retinopathy Study Group showed that panretinal photocoagulation reduces the risk of severe loss of vision by 50%.

Although diabetes retinopathy cannot totally be prevented, better control of blood sugar level slows the onset and progression of retinopathy (The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial - DCCT). Cataract and glaucoma are also associated diabetic eye problems that could lead to blindness.

Regular eye checkups are important for patients suffering from diabetes mellitus. This helps to early detect abnormalities and to avoid or postpone vision-threatening complications.

According to the NSW Principles of Care and Guidelines for the Clinical Management of Diabetes Mellitus, a comprehensive ophthalmological examination should be carried out:

• At diagnosis and then every 1-2 years for patients whose diabetes onset was at age 30 years or more.
• Within five years of diagnosis and then every 1-2 years for patients whose diabetes onset was at age less than 30 years.

If retinopathy is detected, review diabetes control and improve if necessary.

References:

Vision Australia, No 2, 1997/8; University of Melbourne.

The Diabetic Retinopathy Study Research Group. Photocoagulation treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Clinical application of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (DRS) finding, DRS Report Number8. Ophthalmology. 1981; 88:583/600).

Diabetes Control and Complications Trial: DCCT New England Journal of Medicine, 329(14), September 30, 1993.

DSS specific information:

Patients with diabetes have an increased risk of developing several eye complications including retinopathy, cataract and glaucoma that lead to loss of vision.

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness. Retinopathy is characterised by proliferation of the retina's blood vessels, which may project into the vitreous, causing vitreous haemorrhage, proliferation of fibrous tissue and retinal detachment. It is often accompanied by microaneurysms and macular oedema, which can express as blurred vision. The prevalence of retinopathy increases with increasing duration of diabetes. In the early stage, retinopathy is asymptomatic. Up to 20% of people with diabetes Type 2 have retinopathy at the time of diagnosis of diabetes. The cumulative prevalence of proliferation diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema after 20 years of type 1 diabetes is about 40%. The Diabetic Retinopathy Study Group showed that panretinal photocoagulation reduces the risk of severe loss of vision by 50%.

Although diabetes retinopathy cannot totally be prevented, better control of blood sugar level slows the onset and progression of retinopathy (The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial - DCCT). Cataract and glaucoma are also associated diabetic eye problems that could lead to blindness.

Regular eye checkups are important for patients suffering from diabetes mellitus. This helps to early detect abnormalities and to avoid or postpone vision-threatening complications.

According to the NSW Principles of Care and Guidelines for the Clinical Management of Diabetes Mellitus, a comprehensive ophthalmological examination should be carried out:

• At diagnosis and then every 1-2 years for patients whose diabetes onset was at age 30 years or more.
• Within five years of diagnosis and then every 1-2 years for patients whose diabetes onset was at age less than 30 years.

If retinopathy is detected, review diabetes control and improve if necessary.

References:

Vision Australia, No 2, 1997/8; University of Melbourne.

The Diabetic Retinopathy Study Research Group. Photocoagulation treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Clinical application of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (DRS) finding, DRS Report Number8. Ophthalmology. 1981; 88:583/600).

Diabetes Control and Complications Trial: DCCT New England Journal of Medicine, 329(14), September 30, 1993.

DSS specific information:

Patients with diabetes have an increased risk of developing several eye complications including retinopathy, cataract and glaucoma that lead to loss of vision.

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness. Retinopathy is characterised by proliferation of the retina's blood vessels, which may project into the vitreous, causing vitreous haemorrhage, proliferation of fibrous tissue and retinal detachment. It is often accompanied by microaneurysms and macular oedema, which can express as blurred vision. The prevalence of retinopathy increases with increasing duration of diabetes. In the early stage, retinopathy is asymptomatic. Up to 20% of people with type 2 diabetes have retinopathy at the time of diagnosis of diabetes. The cumulative prevalence of proliferation diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema after 20 years of type 1 diabetes is about 40%. The Diabetic Retinopathy Study Group showed that panretinal photocoagulation reduces the risk of severe loss of vision by 50% (Diabetic Retinopathy Study Research Group 1981).

Although diabetes retinopathy cannot totally be prevented, better control of blood sugar level slows the onset and progression of retinopathy (Diabetes Control and Complications Trial Research Group 1993). Cataract and glaucoma are also associated diabetic eye problems that could lead to blindness.

Regular eye checkups are important for patients suffering from diabetes mellitus. This helps to early detect abnormalities and to avoid or postpone vision-threatening complications.

According to the NSW Principles of Care and Guidelines for the Clinical Management of Diabetes Mellitus, a comprehensive ophthalmological examination should be carried out:

• At diagnosis and then every 1-2 years for patients whose diabetes onset was at age 30 years or more.
• Within five years of diagnosis and then every 1-2 years for patients whose diabetes onset was at age less than 30 years.

If retinopathy is detected, review diabetes control and improve if necessary.

References:

Vision Australia, No 2, 1997/8; University of Melbourne.

Diabetic Retinopathy Study Research Group 1981. Photocoagulation treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Clinical application of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (DRS) finding, DRS Report Number 8. Ophthalmology 88(7).

Diabetes Control and Complications Trial Research Group 1993. The Effect of Intensive Treatment of Diabetes on the Development and Progression of Long-Term Complications in Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. New England Journal of Medicine 329(14).