At a recent seminar titled “Advances in Surgical Management of Diabetic Retinopathy,” held at Al-Hokama Eye Specialist center, retina-vitreous consultant Dr. Osama Alem said prevention of diabetic complications, including blindness, is far more important and much cheaper than treating them.
Alem pointed out: “Prevention is done through early detection of diabetics and tight control of diabetes along with other systemic diseases that can accelerate the complications of diabetes, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.” Alem also said regular and timely follow-ups with diabetic clinics and ophthalmologists is a cornerstone.
Alem underscored the importance of establishing a system for early detection of diabetes. It is estimated, globally, that diabetes prevalence for 2010 is 285 million and is expected to affect 438 million people by 2030. Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness and other eye disorders, including glaucoma.
“A high percentage of diabetics are not diagnosed, and high percentages of those diagnosed are not controlled,” said Alem, calling for the establishment of more centers in Saudi Arabia for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.
At the event, professor of ophthalmology and chief of Retina Division at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Dr. Neil Bressler, presented the results of a multi-center study that looked into the beneficial effect of a drug injected into the eyes of those suffering from macular edema, the commonest cause of loss of vision in diabetics.
Despite the high cost — up to SR100,00 for the full treatment — Bressler pointed out that the promising benefits of this drug are priceless.
According to estimates, 23 percent of diabetics suffer from eye diseases.
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that in 2010 the five countries with the highest prevalence of diabetes proportional to their populations are Nauru, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Mauritius and Bahrain.
WALAA HAWARI
Arab News