Diabetic patients must undergo eye screening regularly

SHA (name changed), 62, was experiencing sudden and painless loss of vision in the right eye for one day when she turned up at the out-patient department.

- ANNA JOSE @ Kochi

SHA (name changed), 62, was experiencing sudden and painless loss of vision in the right eye for one day when she turned up at the out-patient department. On examination, vitreous haemorrhage, bleeding inside the vitreous space in the eye filled with a gel-like fluid, was noted in the right eye, leading to the sudden loss of vision. "Upon examination, we came to know that she is a known case of type-2 diabetes for the past 15 years. The patient has been on medication, but her blood sugar levels were not well-controlled. After completing the examination, it was concluded that the vitreous haemorrhage in the right eye was a complication of her long-standing, uncontrolled blood sugar levels," said Dr. Rahul P Vijayakumar, specialist in ophthalmology at Aster Medcity, Kochi.

The patient was also presented with severe diabetic retinal changes, including proliferative diabetic retinopathy in the left eye. However, the patient denied ever having been screened for eye changes. "She was aware that diabetes could affect the eyes but had never sought to check for it. Further examination revealed a significant reduction in vision in the left eye as well," he added.