Regular dilated eye exams catch diabetic retinopathy before vision loss starts, as medical groups and specialists say ahead of World Diabetes Day on November 14.
In Spain, nearly five million people have diabetes and more than a third are not diagnosed, according to the International Diabetes Federation Atlas. High blood sugar damages small blood vessels in the retina, leading to hemorrhages and other alterations that compromise vision in advanced phases.
Marta S. Figueroa, director of the Retina Unit at Baviera, said the condition can alter retinal blood vessels before any noticeable changes in sight. Fundus examination is a tool for timely identification and monitoring, as reported, Marta S. Figueroa explained.
Specialists use dilated fundus examinations alongside diagnostic tools like optical coherence tomography (OCT) and angiography to evaluate retinal health. A first screening is recommended at diagnosis for type 2 diabetes. Type 1 patients should have their first check five years after diagnosis.
Annual reviews suffice for normal findings or mild retinopathy. Moderate cases require checks every six months and more frequent evaluations if lesions appear, according to Figueroa.
Optometrists and ophthalmologists say clear sight does not guarantee healthy eyes.
The Consejo General de Colegios de Ópticos-Optometristas (CGCOO) and the Colegio de Ópticos-Optometristas de Castilla y León (COOCYL) point out that diabetes alters accommodation and binocular vision, causing blurred vision or eye fatigue before retinopathy signs emerge.
More than 4.6 million adults in Spain have diabetes, and 35.5% are unaware they have the disease, according to the International Diabetes Federation.
Jorge Ruiz, a specialist at IMO Grupo Miranza Madrid, said patients can develop retinal lesions without perceiving alterations in their sight.
World Health Organization estimates indicate roughly half of patients exhibit retinopathy after 10 years of disease evolution. That figure rises up to 90 percent after 30 years.
“One of the greatest dangers of diabetes for visual health is that a person may believe their eyes are perfectly fine because they still see well, when in reality retinal damage may be occurring. We cannot wait for symptoms to appear to act,” said Andrés Gené, president of the Consejo General de Colegios de Ópticos-Optometristas.
Clinics such as San Gabino Óptica y Audición use high-resolution confocal retinographs to capture retinal images without pupil dilation.
Ana Vázquez, director of optometry at San Gabino Óptica y Audición, said advanced imaging detects subtle alterations during routine visits.
Treatments range from intraocular injections and laser therapy to surgery, depending on severity and complications like diabetic macular edema.