Our retinal specialists provide expert care of diabetic eye disease in Melbourne and surrounding communities.
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Our retinal specialists provide expert care of diabetic eye disease to Melbourne and surrounding communities.
Over 1 million Australians live with diabetes. As one of the many complications of this condition includes diabetic eye disease, Melbourne is home to thousands of people at risk from this potentially blinding diabetic eye condition.
Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye-related conditions that arise due to the effects of diabetes throughout the body.
Diabetic retinopathy/ maculopathy
This is the most common cause of vision loss in patients with diabetes. Retinopathy refers to the disease of the retina, the light-sensing tissue inside the eyeball. Diabetic retinopathy can range from minimal and asymptomatic to severe and blinding.
Diabetic maculopathy
The macula is the central nerve-centre of the retina. This area can become swollen as a result of leaking blood vessels. This causes gradual vision loss and blindness if left untreated.
Cataracts
Although most cataracts occur naturally with age, the presence of diabetes can induce a certain type of cataract, called a diabetic cataract. Patients with diabetes are up to 5 times more likely to develop a cataract and are also at higher risk of this occurring at a younger age.
The best way to reduce your risk of diabetic eye disease is to maintain strict control of your blood sugar levels, whether it is with diet and exercise or with medications as prescribed by your doctor. For those with existing diabetic eye diseases, Melbourne is home to several experienced retinal ophthalmologists, including Armadale Eye Clinic, who are able to provide treatments to preserve your sight.
Diabetic Retinopathy
In its early stage, diabetic retinopathy presents as little spots of haemorrhaging and microaneurysms across the retina. More advanced stages of this retinal disease then involve larger haemorrhages, areas of oxygen deprivation, and formation of abnormal fragile blood vessels, which leak fluid and blood. The presence of these abnormal blood vessels escalates the category of diabetic retinopathy from non-proliferative to proliferative.
Mild to moderate stages of diabetic retinopathy may go unnoticed without a routine diabetic eye exam by a trained clinician. If there is an accumulation of fluid beneath the macula, the area of the retina responsible for clear central vision, you may notice a sudden blur or distortion of your vision – this is called diabetic macular oedema.
At Armadale Eye Clinic the diabetic eye specialist in our Melbourne rooms has access to the facilities to treat all stages of diabetic retinopathy. This may involve one or more procedures, such as:
Intravitreal injections
Injections into the eye of a medication that inhibit the formation of abnormal blood vessels have been shown to be effective at controlling this disease. Patients with diabetic macular oedema may be suitable for another eye injection aimed at reducing swelling.
Laser therapy
An argon laser procedure known as panretinal photocoagulation aims to seal off leaking abnormal blood vessels and also serves to reduce the oxygen demand in areas of the retina that may encourage abnormal vessel growth.
Surgery
For very large retinal bleeds or a retinal detachment induced by diabetic retinopathy complications, your eye surgeon may recommend surgery. This aims to reattach the retina and remove the blood and debris from within the eye.
With our diabetic eye specialist, Melbourne residents have access to timely and expert care for the various types of diabetic eye disease in our cutting-edge facilities. Armadale Eye Clinic also is pleased to offer the services of our cataract and glaucoma doctors who can help to manage further complications.
Patients suffering from diabetic eye diseases in Melbourne and further afield are welcome to come under the care of our retinal specialist. To book an appointment call our clinic.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
© Copyright – Armadale Eye Clinic 2019
OPENING HOURS:
Weekdays: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
CONTACT US:
Phone: (03) 9070 5753
FAX: 8692 1131
Email: info@armadale-eye.com.au
WHERE TO FIND US:
93 Kooyong Rd, Armadale,
Melbourne, VIC, 3143,
Australia