UAE | Health
Annual eye screening a must for diabetics, doctor says
Many with the condition unaware they already have retinal damage
- By Mahmood Saberi, Senior Reporter
- Published: 00:00 July 20, 2011
Dubai: The director of Dubai Diabetes Centre has urged diabetics to have regular eye screening — as many patients come to the centre unaware they have retinal damage.
"It is very important to catch this early on," said Dr Hamed Farooqi, who warns that retinal damage could lead to blindness if it is not detected and treated early enough.
High blood sugar leads to the narrowing of the blood vessels and it is the tiny blood vessels such as those in the eye which are affected significantly.
Diabetic eye disease can progress to a more serious level when damaged blood vessels close off and new, weaker vessels take their place. These new vessels can leak blood, which blocks vision.
Treatable
But this disease can be treated with lasers to minimise vision loss and it is recommended that diabetics have an eye screening test on a yearly basis.
Dr Bruno Blanchon, consultant at the centre, said that many patients are unaware of the complications they already have as a result of diabetes. "We have been consistently conducting screening for diabetic damage to the eyes and results showed that approximately one in five diabetics are unaware they already suffer from retinal damage."
Dr Farooqi recommends that people should get their blood glucose checked when they go for their routine physical, especially those who have a family history of diabetes or are overweight.
"People need to be pro-active [in taking care of their health]," he said.
More from UAE Health
More from UAE
Latest news
- Tracks to be laid on recycled material
- Golden Hour crucial to a patient's survival
- Opening show worthy of UAE
- Sun is shining on prospects for solar power
- Artists focus on craftsmanship
- World leaders committed to supporting civilians
- Schools open a new page in teaching English
- Special parking to help disabled tourists
- Helping hand surgeons have long sought
- Blind woman lights up corridors of power
- In Mind
- At times, I think of committing suicide
- Designer of a creative haven
- Fund to help Dubai taxi drivers' families
- New life-saving fleet of vehicles
Community Reports
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
-
Supporting the needy with food supplies
Group of families engaged in serving isolated labour community hopes to motivate more people to help underprivileged and hungry
-
Leukaemia boy granted wish to meet footballer
Emirati meets hero Al Qahtani, Al Ain team
