REGULAR eye tests are essential for everyone with diabetes to catch signs of diabetic retinopathy early and prevent blindness.
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That's the message from University of Sydney Professor of Ophthalmology Paul Mitchell, who says loss of sight is a real risk for people with diabetes who don't have regular checks, even if they have their diabetes under control.
Professor Mitchell said diabetic retinopathy was the leading cause of blindness among Australian working-age adults.
However, many people stopped having eye tests after they got the "all clear" at their first or second check.
"Psychologically they move into safe mode – they don't think they are at risk any more," Professor Mitchell said.
"But in fact their eyes are in unsafe mode, because for every year a person has diabetes, the greater their risk of developing this blinding eye disease."
Professor Mitchell said many people with the common type 2 diabetes would have already had the disease for many years before they were diagnosed, and would develop potentially blinding diabetic retinopathy within five to 10 years.
Macular Disease Foundation Australia chief executive Julie Heraghty said almost all cases of sight-threatening eye disease could be avoided by careful monitoring.
"Careful management of diabetes risk factors, especially blood glucose, weight, blood pressure, lipids and cessation of smoking, as well as healthy diet and lifestyle supported by regular eye examinations and specific treatment when required, are essential to preventing vision loss from diabetic eye disease," she said.
The disease can progress to advanced stages without any effects on vision, so can easily go unnoticed.
Detecting early evidence with regular eye tests is essential, and treatment can be highly effective if delivered early.
"If any changes in vision occur, such as dark areas, blurred, distorted, dim or double vision, or difficulty seeing at night, people should make an appointment with an eye specialist immediately through a GP or optometrist referral," Ms Heraghty said.
The Macular Disease Foundation Australia has published a booklet on diabetic eye disease.
Phone 1800-111-709,
