Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment

Overview

The Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitius in Singapore has since been going up annually. Studies shows that Singaporeans today have been leaning towards a high calore diet, almost competing with the residents in western nations.

Diabetes is a chronic disease and affects 10% of Singapore’s population. That’s around 1 in 10 people.

One of the leading causes of blindess, diabetic retinal eye disease (retinopathy) has made notoriety for being more common in patients in proportion to the duration and severity of their diabetes.

Patients with both type I and type II Diabetes are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. The good news is that most cases can be prevented and controlled with early detection and prompt treatment.

Types of Diabetic Retinopathy

What You Need To Know

How can I diagnose Diabetic Retinopathy?

Regular annual eye checks are very important. Early diabetic retinopathy usually has no symptoms and may not cause blurring of vision. They are thus often not diagnosed. However, early changes can be easily treated and blindness can be prevented. Often, when the patient experiences some symptoms,  (e.g blurring or distortion in vision), diabetic retinopathy may already be in the late stages or complicated with other conditions e.g. cataract, glaucoma. At this stage, treatment is still possible but recovery may be limited.

Fundal Photography  Fundal Fluorescein Angiography  Optical Coherence Tomography

Prevention

How can you reduce the incidence and severity of Diabetic Retinopathy?

  • Have a healthy diet as advised by your Doctor or Nutritionist
  • Control blood sugar levels with regular blood sugar and HbA1c monitoring
  • Exercise regularly
  • Stop smoking
  • Reduce your intake of alcohol

Treatment Options

Early stages of diabetic retinopathy may not require any treatment. However, regular monitoring and preventive measures (as mentioned above) should be under taken. Severe visual loss can be prevented if diabetic retinopathy is detected early and treated. Thus it is important to undergo a full dilated eye examination by your Eye Specialist at least once a year.

Photocoagulation Treatment   Vitrectomy  Anti-VEGFs

It’s important to remember that not all diabetics will lose their vision. Your risk can be reduced or eliminated by controlling your blood sugar and blood pressure, eating right, getting regular exercise and having your eyes examined regularly as advised by your Doctor. If you are diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, don’t put off treatment. Early detection and early treatment will save your sight.

Locate us

Mt Alvernia

820 Thomson Road,
Mount Alvernia Hospital,
Medical Centre D, #06-57/58/59/60/61/62
Singapore 574623

Fax: (65) 6456 1006
Mt Elizabeth Orchard

Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre,
3 Mount Elizabeth #08-08,
Singapore 228510

Fax: (65) 6836 0002
Parkway East

Parkway East Medical Centre,
319 Joo Chiat Place,
#05-03 Singapore 427989

Fax: (65) 6348-1001
Mt Elizabeth Novena

38 Irawaddy Road,
Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre,
#08-22/23/24 Singapore 329563

Fax: (65) 6570 1001
Westgate

Westgate Mall,
3 Gateway Drive,
#02-42A Singapore 608532

Fax: (65) 6250-6066
Royal Square at Novena

Royal Square Novena Medical Centre at Royal Square at Novena,
101 Irrawaddy Road,
#11-07 to 13 Singapore 329565

Fax: (65) 6456-1002
King Albert Park

KAP Residences Mall,
9 King Albert Park,
#01-42/43/44 Singapore 598332

Fax: (65) 6475-1880
StarMed Specialist Centre

12 Farrer Park Station Road,
#05-02/03/04,
StarMed Specialist Centre, Singapore 217565


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