Diabetic Retinopathy and Vision Loss Prevention

Diabetes has long ceased to be a rare diagnosis. More than 5.4 million patients with the disease are officially registered in Russia, and their number grows every year. In the past year alone, 477,000 new cases were detected for the first time — 39% more than in 2012. But while many people know about diabetes itself, its main “target” — the organs of vision — is discussed far less often.

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most formidable complications of diabetes. It develops when elevated glucose levels damage the small blood vessels of the retina. In the early stages, a person may notice no symptoms at all, and by the time “floaters,” flashes, or distortions appear, the window for simple treatment has often already closed. According to statistics, Russia has more than 700,000 cases of diabetic retinopathy, and about 19,000 patients receive disability status each year because of vision loss.

However, blindness from diabetes is not inevitable. It can be prevented if examinations are done on time and the condition of the eyes is monitored. This is precisely what ophthalmologists at the MedStandard clinic insist on; in their practice they encounter patients with advanced disease every day. The clinic’s doctors see a sad pattern: people arrive already with irreversible changes, when help is possible but full restoration of vision is not. Most often this happens because of ignorance and fear.

MedStandard is an eye clinic where diabetic retinopathy is treated by highly experienced specialists using modern methods, including surgical treatment of the retina. It uses modern diagnostics: examination of the fundus with pupil dilation and optical coherence tomography (OCT). This makes it possible to detect the pathology at an early stage, when the process can still be slowed and the patient’s full vision preserved. But even with the most advanced equipment, doctors are powerless if a person does not come to an appointment.

That is why MedStandard places such importance on its educational mission. The clinic is convinced that fostering a culture of caring for one’s health is as much a doctor’s duty as treatment itself. An active, healthy person with preserved vision is able to make plans, work, delight loved ones, and feel happy. Therefore, on 23 September at 18:00 in Krasnoyarsk, at 133a Karla Marksa Street, MedStandard is holding a Health Day on the theme “Diabetes Is Not a Verdict: How to Live a Full Life and Not Fear Complications.”

The main goal of the meeting is to convey a simple idea to patients: a regular ophthalmologist examination should become as much a habit as measuring blood sugar. And even if nothing is bothering you, that is no reason to postpone a visit to the doctor. Retinopathy develops unnoticed, and the only way to catch it in time is a preventive examination.

The program includes two key talks. A general practitioner will explain how sugar metabolism works, why insulin is needed, and why controlling blood markers can prevent the development of severe complications. An ophthalmologist from MedStandard will devote a talk to the topic “How Diabetes Affects Vision and What to Do About It.” Patients will learn about the mechanism of retinal vessel damage, the early symptoms worth paying attention to, and the modern diagnostic and treatment methods used for diabetic retinopathy at different stages. In addition, the expert will clearly set out the frequency of examinations for patients with diabetes — and this knowledge can save the eyesight of every listener.

After the lectures, guests will enjoy a coffee break, where they can ask the doctors questions in an informal setting and receive individual recommendations. Every participant will receive gifts from MedStandard and its partners.

The event is free, but the number of places is limited — only 30 people. A closed-meeting format was chosen so that everyone receives maximum attention.

MedStandard urges: do not wait for symptoms of the disease. Come to learn how to preserve your vision. Forewarned is forearmed. And healthy eyes are not only a clear gaze but also confidence in the future, activity, and joy in every moment of life.

To register, call +7 (391) 986-99-13.

MedStandard LLC carries out medical activity in accordance with license No. L041-01108-38/00332557 for medical activity dated 26.06.2019, issued by the Ministry of Health of Irkutsk Region; OGRN 1153850039463 assigned by the Ministry of Health of Krasnoyarsk Region; 660017, Krasnoyarsk, 133a Karla Marksa Street.