Until very recently (2014 data) diabetes mellitus was the commonest cause of legal blindness in the UK working age group. Improvements in detection (diabetic eye screening), diagnostic techniques (OCT scanning, wide-field imaging) and treatments (anti-VEGF intravitreal injections) have reduced the burden of diabetic retinopathy despite the growing prevalence of diabetic in the population. However, it is still one of the major preventable causes of sight-loss and impairment, affecting about 8 out of 10 patients who have had diabetes for more than 10 years.
EPV offers all aspects of eye care for private patients with diabetes, from regular thorough screening well beyond the 2-fields photographs usually performed, to advanced diagnostic scans and early intervention with intravitreal therapies and surgery where indicated. For example, we have experience using long-acting steroid implants such as Ozurdex and Iluvien, as well as the standard laser and anti-VEGF (avastin, lucentis and eyelea) therapies.
East Point Vision also provides small-micro-incisional sutureless vitrectomy surgery for patients who have vitreous haemorrhage, or membranes that pull on the retina or exacerbate diabetic macula oedema (swelling of the central part of the retina).
Fig 1. Macular oedema before and after iluvien implant showing resolution fluid.
Fig 2. Macular oedema before and after vitrectomy.
Lots more information can be found at:
http://beavrs.org/diabetic-vitreous-haemorrhage
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Diabetic-retinopathy/Pages/Introduction.aspx