31: Diabetic Retinopathy – Screening & Treatment

Regular eye screening for the more than 4 million people in the UK with diabetes is essential. The chronic condition is difficult to manage, but high blood sugar over time can damage the blood vessels in the retina. These changes to the eye can be detected by retinal photography, yet diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness, because it typically isn’t caught — and managed — early enough. 

This episode explores how England’s diabetic eye screening services currently work, with Kamran Rajaby, a Senior Retinal Screener Grader at St Thomas’ Hospital in London. Michelle Hanratty also looks to the future, by discussing the role that artificial intelligence can begin to play in detecting retinal changes, with Dr Cathy Egan, a consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital. Finally, Michelle discusses the treatment options and pathways for problematic diabetic eye disease with Sajjad Mahmood, the medical retina lead for Optegra UK and a consultant ophthalmic surgeon in Manchester. 

This episode covers the GOC domain of Clinical Practice. Docet - dedicated to providing quality optometric education and professional development.