Common Questions and Answers:

* Q: Can proper control of my diabetes help prevent diabetic retinopathy?
   A: Not always. Good control of diabetes can lessen or slowdown diabetic retinopathy.. However many patients with excellent control of the blood sugar may still develop diabetic retinopathy

* Q: Does every diabetic get diabetic retinopathy at some point in their life?
   A: Most diabetics will begin to develop some retinopathy after having diabetes for about ten years. However, the retinopathy does not always progress to a point where sight is threatened or treatment is needed.

* Q: If I have no symptoms, why should I go to the eye doctor?
   A: Only a thorough eye exam by your eye doctor can detect diabetic retinopathy before it affects sight. And remember, treatment works best in the early stages - before eyesight is affected.

* Q: Does laser surgery hurt?
   A: Laser surgery for background diabetic retinopathy (focal laser treatment) is not painful. Sometimes laser surgery for proliferative retinopathy (PRP) can cause of discomfort. If it does, your doctor can usually numb the eye.

* Q: When should an adult with diabetes have a retinal examination?
   A: Because it is much harder in an adult to determine exactly when the diabetes started, it is important to have the retina checked as soon as the diagnosis of diabetes is made. Sometimes, retinopathy is already present.

* Q: Should a young child with diabetes see an eye doctor?
   A: Every child who has had diabetes for five years or more should see their eye doctor every year for retina check.

* Q: Do most insurance plan to cover this type of exam and treatment?
   A: Most insurance plans do cover retinal exams and treatments. They are considered medical problems and no special vision insurance is necessary.

* Q: Can I wear contact lenses if I have diabetic retinopathy?
   A: Yes. Contact lenses have no effect on diabetic retinopathy.

* Q: Can diabetic eye disease be corrected with eyeglasses?
   A: No. Because diabetic eye disease is the result of weekend blood vessels in the eye, glasses or contacts can in no way correct or prevent the disease.

* Q: Are there any eye drops for treating diabetic retinopathy?
   A: Eye drops cannot prevent or treat diabetic retinopathy.

* Q: If my diabetes is mild ( controlled with pills or diet) can I get diabetic retinopathy?
   A: Yes. Diabetic retinopathy can develop in people who control their diabetes with pills or even just diet.

* Q: What can a diabetic patient do to help avoid retinopathy?
   A: Take good care of all medical problems (i.e., sugar control, high blood pressure), avoid smoking and weight gainand participate in regular exercise. But remember, retinopathy still can develop after many years of diabetes.

* Q: I'm 52 years old and I've just been diagnosis having diabetes. Should I have my eyes checked?
   A: Yes. Sometimes diabetes can be present for many years before being detected. Therefore, any adult who is diagnosed as having diabetes should see their eye doctor for an exam to check for retinopathy.

* Q: Will eye notice any changes in my eyesight after having laser treatment?
   A: Focal laser treatment can cause small spots in the central vision in some people. However, these usually fade over time. Pan- Retinal photocoagulation can sometimes cause a decrease in side vision or night vision. Also, about one in 10 patients lose a small amount of central vision. However this is a necessary trade-off in order to save the majority of sight.

* Q: What is a retina specialist?
   A: A retinal specialist is an eye doctor with advanced training and experience in diagnosing and treating retinal problems like diabetic retinopathy.

* Q: Do I have to limit my physical activity if I had diabetic retinopathy?
   A: Usually not. Exercise does not make background diabetic retinopathy worse and it rarely causes bleeding in people with proliferative retinopathy. However, contact sports (football, rugby etc.) should be avoided if proliferative retinopathy is present.