Diabetic Eye Disease (diabetic + eye_disease)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Screening and prevention of diabetic blindness

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 4 2000
Einar Stefánsson
ABSTRACT. : Diabetic eye disease remains a major cause of blindness in the world. Laser treatment for proliferative diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema became available more than two decades ago. The outcome of treatment depends on the timing of laser treatment. The laser treatment is optimally delivered when high-risk characteristics have developed in proliferative retinopathy or diabetic macular edema and before this has significantly affected vision. Laser treatment is usually successful if applied during this optimal period whereas the treatment benefit falls sharply if the treatment is applied too late. In order to optimize the timing of laser treatment in diabetic eye disease screening programs have been established. The oldest screening program is 20 years old and several programs have been established during the last decade. In this paper the organisation and methods of screening programs are described including direct and photographic screening. The incidence and prevalence of blindness is much lower in populations where screening for diabetic eye disease has been established compared to diabetic populations without screening. Technical advantages may allow increased efficiency and telescreening. From a public health standpoint screening for diabetic eye disease is one of the most cost effective health procedures available. Diabetic eye disease can be prevented using existing technology and the cost involved is many times less than the cost of diabetic blindness. [source]


Screening compliance and visual outcome in diabetes

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 6 2005
Gunnar Már Zoega
Abstract. Purpose:,To study the relationship between screening compliance and visual outcome in a screening programme for diabetic eye disease. Methods:,A retrospective case control study. The screening compliance of all the diabetes patients (n = 22) listed at the Icelandic National Registry for the Blind (visual acuity <0.3) was compared to a matched group of 44 non-blind diabetes patients (visual acuity ,0.3) who participated in the same screening programme for diabetic retinopathy. Glycaemic control (HbA1c), office blood pressure and cholesterol levels were assessed. Results:,The study group had a significantly lower level of compliance with the screening programme (27% ± 38% [mean ± SD] versus 77% ± 26% [mean ± SD]; p < 0.0001). Macular oedema or proliferative diabetic retinopathy was found in 60% (13/22) of the study group when entering the screening programme, compared to 7% (3/44) in the control group. Blood pressure (except diastolic BP among type 1 diabetes mellitus), blood glucose and cholesterol levels were identical. The prevalence of blindness and low vision amongst diabetes patients in Iceland is about 0.5%. Conclusions:,There was a significant relationship between screening compliance and visual outcome in diabetes patients in our screening programme. [source]


Screening and prevention of diabetic blindness

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 4 2000
Einar Stefánsson
ABSTRACT. : Diabetic eye disease remains a major cause of blindness in the world. Laser treatment for proliferative diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema became available more than two decades ago. The outcome of treatment depends on the timing of laser treatment. The laser treatment is optimally delivered when high-risk characteristics have developed in proliferative retinopathy or diabetic macular edema and before this has significantly affected vision. Laser treatment is usually successful if applied during this optimal period whereas the treatment benefit falls sharply if the treatment is applied too late. In order to optimize the timing of laser treatment in diabetic eye disease screening programs have been established. The oldest screening program is 20 years old and several programs have been established during the last decade. In this paper the organisation and methods of screening programs are described including direct and photographic screening. The incidence and prevalence of blindness is much lower in populations where screening for diabetic eye disease has been established compared to diabetic populations without screening. Technical advantages may allow increased efficiency and telescreening. From a public health standpoint screening for diabetic eye disease is one of the most cost effective health procedures available. Diabetic eye disease can be prevented using existing technology and the cost involved is many times less than the cost of diabetic blindness. [source]


Avastin as an adjunct to vitrectomy in the management of severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy: a prospective case series

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, Issue 5 2008
Jonathan Yeoh FRANZCO
Abstract Purpose:, Bevacizumab (Avastin) is a monoclonal antibody which targets all isoforms of vascular endothelial growth factor A. Its potent anti-angiogenic effects have been shown to cause regression of neovascularization in proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of Avastin as an adjunct to vitrectomy in the management of severe diabetic eye disease. Methods:, Sixteen patients (18 eyes) with severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy were recruited into the study. All eyes underwent a single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab 1.25 mg in 0.05 mL prior to vitrectomy surgery for the management of tractional retinal detachment or vitreous haemorrhage due to severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Results:, At 3 months, seven eyes had visual acuities which were better than baseline, four were unchanged and seven were worse. At 6 months, 14 eyes had visual acuities better than baseline, one was unchanged and three were worse. Seven of the 18 eyes (38.8%) had postoperative rebleeds, six of which required surgical washout. Conclusion:, Avastin improved the ease of the surgery in these complex eyes and the early results are encouraging. We have found it to be particularly useful in diabetic eyes with traction detachments of short duration in which there is still active neovascularization. [source]