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Diabetic Eye Disease Newsletter
1st Edition 2017
I hope this edition of the Foundation’s Diabetic Eye Disease Newsletter finds you in good health.With National Diabetes Week running from 9 to 15 July, it is timely to remind you that by
managing your diabetes you’ll also be looking after your eye health. You don’t need to tackle diabetes and eye health on your own. There is a team of medical professionals and allied healthcare workers on hand to support and guide you. In this issue ophthalmologist Dr Peter van Wijngaarden provides an insight into diabetes and the eye, and accredited practising dietitian Dr Alan Barclay tells us how we can eat well with diabetes.At the centre of our work is you - the person living with diabetes. In this issue Ricky Booth shares his story about living with diabetic retinopathy. Everyone has a story to tell - please tell us yours! (refer page 4)Please remember that the Foundation is also part of your support team. We can provide information, guidance and advice to you, your family and friends on eye health. We’re just a phone call away and no question is too small or unimportant - so please call us if you have any questions about diabetes and eye health.Until next newsletter, stay warm and remember, regular eye testing is important and if you experience any changes in vision, seek professional help from an optometrist or ophthalmologist immediately.Take care.Julie Heraghty Chief Executive Officer
Dear Friends
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Diabetic Eye Disease Information KitIf you have a friend or a family member who has diabetes, tell them to call the Foundation to register for a free information kit and ongoing information. It could save their sight. Helpline 1800 111 709
We need your support too! Any donation you are able to give will go a long way to help us in our work. A donation slip and reply paid envelope is enclosed. Alternatively you can make a donation by calling 1800 111 709 or through the website www.mdfoundation.com.au
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Living Well
Everyone with diabetes is at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Presently there are almost 1.1 million Australians diagnosed with diabetes.Guest ophthalmologist Dr Peter van Wijngaarden provides the following guidance on eye health and diabetes. The first step in reducing the risk of vision loss is to understand the likelihood of developing diabetic retinopathy. Almost all people with Type 1 diabetes and approximately two thirds of those with Type 2 will develop some degree of diabetic retinopathy. Given that people with Type 2 may have had diabetes for many months or years prior to diagnosis, diabetic retinopathy may already be present at the time of diagnosis. Large studies show that approximately one in three people with diabetes have retinopathy and one in three of those with retinopathy have sight-threatening disease.In light of the high prevalence figures, those with diabetes need to understand what they can do to reduce their risk.Diabetic retinopathy remains a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Australia. Early detection through regular eye examinations and timely treatment is key to avoiding vision loss.To prevent diabetic retinopathy and slow the progression of established disease, while supporting overall good health, you should, in consultation with medical advice:• Maintain blood glucose, cholesterol
and blood pressure at target levels• Avoid smoking • Follow a healthy diet, appropriate
for people with diabetes• Maintain an active lifestyle
Co-managing diabetes and diabetic retinopathyWhen diabetic retinopathy affects vision it can make the practicalities of managing health more challenging, especially for people who need to self-administer insulin. Advances in the treatment of diabetic macular oedema mean many people experience improvements in their vision. This is a major development but treatment by an ophthalmologist or retina specialist may be required for months or even years. This can be challenging when co-managing these diseases, but necessary, in order to save sight.
Diabetic eye disease - refers to a range of conditions that can be caused or exacerbated by diabetes including diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular oedema, cataract, and glaucoma.Diabetic retinopathy - caused by damage to the small blood vessels in the retina which can lead to major vision loss including blindness.Diabetic macular oedema - the most common vision-threatening diabetic eye disease - due to swelling under the macula (central retina) in people with diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetes and the Eyes
Dr Peter van Wijngaarden, Deputy Director & Principal Investigator at the Centre for Eye Research Australia
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Living Well
Dr Alan Barclay is an accredited practising dietitian and spokesperson for the Dietitians Association of Australia. Below he shares some insights into eating well for those with Type 2 diabetes.How important is it to eat well?Healthy eating forms just one of the three key pillars for diabetes management, which also includes physical activity and optimal medication. All need to work together for the overall health and wellbeing of someone living with diabetes. How can an eating plan help?There is not one single diet for people with diabetes. There are many different ways to eat well and the role of a Dietitian is to build an eating plan that is tailor-made to their client’s cultural background and personal food preferences. Food is to be enjoyed.
How important is weight management?A healthy eating focus will often require some weight loss, but it doesn’t need to be huge. A weight reduction of just 10% will make a significant difference to blood glucose levels. This small reduction is achievable and far more sustainable in the long run. Can managing diabetes impact diseases such as diabetic eye disease?Management of diabetes is an individual thing but you need to keep your blood glucose levels at an optimal range as much as possible. Keeping the fluctuation of blood glucose under control will mean reduced damage to blood vessels, and less likelihood of developing complicating diseases such as diabetic eye disease.
Eating well with Diabetes
You can read an extended Q&A with Dr Barclay, including a recipe from his book Reversing Diabetes at www.mdfoundation.com.au
✔ To find an accredited dietitian visit the Dietitians Association of Australia website at www.daa.asn.au
✔ To find a credentialed diabetes educator and other diabetes health professionals visit National Diabetes Services Scheme website at http://osd.ndss.com.au/search/
✔ To find out more about diabetic eye disease and low vision visit our website www.mdfoundation.com.au
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Ricky Booth is 53, lives in Tasmania and has diabetes complicated by diabetic retinopathy. Here he tells of his diabetic retinopathy diagnosis after he woke one morning with blurred vision.“I woke up and everything was blurry so I went to hospital and was admitted for a couple of days until it came right. I wasn’t too worried, but the hospital sent me to an optometrist who checked my vision and told me how diabetes affects the eyes. It was the first I’d heard.”Ricky was around 40 at the time and his diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy hit him hard.“The diagnosis was devastating. I’d built up a successful business transporting racehorses and suddenly I couldn’t renew my driver’s licence. I had to employ people to do my work, I had to rely more on my partner’s income and, being at home all day, I quickly became bored and frustrated.”
The good news is Ricky got back on the road thanks to laser in the first years, and now regular injections, which has improved and stabilised his vision. “My licence was renewed and I went back to work. I often say to my ophthalmologist that I owe it all to him – he got me back driving, he got me working with the horses again,” said Ricky.
Awareness
DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is produced by Macular Disease Foundation Australia. It is intended as a newsletter and its contents do not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on as such. July 2017
How you can support the Foundation?As a charitable organisation we rely on your generous donations to help service the macular disease community across Australia and fund our Research Grants Program. You can post your donation, make a secure online donation using your credit card at www.mdfoundation.com.au, or contact the Foundation to set up a regular donation. All donations over $2 are tax deductible. Bequests are gratefully accepted. Please call the Foundation for more information.
The Foundation is here to help! If you have diabetes or have developed diabetic eye disease we are here to help. Call us on 1800 111 709 for information and advice, or to order our Diabetic Eye Disease booklet.
Contact UsSuite 902, Level 9447 Kent StreetSydney NSW 2000
Helpline 1800 111 709
Focusing on his Vision
Personal stories are a powerful way to raise awareness. We want to hear from people living with diabetic eye disease who are willing to share their experience. Call 1800 111 709 to find our more.
Everyone has a story… tell us “your story”
