Diabetes is a condition which can affect many systems in the body. It occurs when the level of sugar (glucose) in our blood is higher than normal. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is autoimmune, meaning the immune system of your body attacks its own cells in the pancreas that control levels of blood glucose.1 Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition where the body becomes resistant to the effects of and/or slowly produces less of the glucose-controlling hormone, insulin.1 Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can cause changes to the tissues and blood vessels at the front and back of the eye after a period of time.1 All diabetics should ensure they visit their optometrist at least annually for a thorough examination.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a condition where high blood sugar levels damage the small blood vessels (or capillaries) in the back of your eye, also known as the retina. The risk of developing these changes increases the longer you have had diabetes and the less controlled it is. There are two major categories of diabetic retinopathy:
Controlling blood glucose over time significantly reduces the risk of developing retinopathy, but does not eliminate it. Routine eye examinations are the best management to prevent or detect diabetes-related complications sooner rather than later.
Our optometrists will often use eye drops to increase your pupil size (dilating drops), allowing for a better view into the back of the eye. A good analogy is like looking through a keyhole compared to opening up the door. A full dilated retinal examination is recommended at least once a year to monitor for retinal signs of diabetes, which are often stealthy and change without your knowledge. Dilating drops last for 4-6 hours and can cause glare and blurry vision, so we recommend waiting for a short period before driving.
With the aid of our Heidelberg OCT, we are able to detect signs of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema in all stages of the conditions. With the addition of OCT-A imaging, we can perform non-invasive 3D scans of the blood vessel network in the eye. Monitoring the movement of individual blood cells allows for greater analysis of diabetic eye health. We also have specialised equipment to help detect and manage cataracts and dry eye disease, including corneal tomography and topography, slit lamp biomicroscopy and anterior eye imaging.
The role of optometry in diabetic management is that of close monitoring and communication with other health professionals involved in your diabetic care. If we detect the development of diabetic retinopathy we can alter diabetic control and management with the help of your GP, endocrinologist and ophthalmologist.
An image captured by the Heidelberg OCT showing evidence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (top) and the same retina after treatment with anti-vascular injections.