Diabetic Retinopathy: Therapy

General measures

  • Aim for normal weight! Determination of BMI (body mass index, body mass index) or body composition by means of electrical impedance analysis and participation in a medically supervised weight loss program.
  • Nicotine restriction (refrain from tobacco use).

Conventional non-surgical therapy methods

  • Application of IEGF inhibitors (drugs that inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)); see “Drug therapy” below.
  • Fitting of optical or also electronically magnifying visual aidsIndication: loss of reading ability with normal visual aids. Secondary condition: For this purpose, a stable blood glucose situation and stable eye findings should be present.

Regular control examinations

A diabetic’s check-ups with an ophthalmologist should follow the following schedule:

Diabetes mellitus type 1

  • From the 5th year of illness or the 11th year of life once a year.
  • If there is no retinopathy:
    • If known low risk (= no ophthalmological risk and no general risk) two years.
    • For all other risk constellations one year
  • If diabetic retinal changes (= ophthalmological risk) are present, depending on the findings should be examined 1 year or more frequently. The date of the next examination should be decided by the ophthalmologist.

Diabetes mellitus type 2

  • Immediately upon diagnosis
  • If no retinopathy is present:
    • If known low risk (= no ophthalmological risk and no general risk) two years.
    • For all other risk constellations one year
  • If diabetic retinal changes (= ophthalmological risk) are present, depending on the findings should be examined 1 year or more frequently. The date of the next examination should be decided by the ophthalmologist.

Further notes

Promptly should be examined by an ophthalmologist for new onset of symptoms such as:

  • Visual deterioration
  • Distorted vision, blurred vision
  • “sooty rain” before the eyes

Nutritional medicine

  • Nutritional counseling based on nutritional analysis
  • Observance of the following nutritional medical recommendations:
    • See this under diabetes mellitus
  • See also under “Therapy with micronutrients (vital substances)” – if necessary, taking a suitable dietary supplement.
  • Detailed information on nutritional medicine you will receive from us.

Training

  • During patient education, the affected person is shown the correct way to deal with the disease. In addition, the various therapy options are discussed and everyday situations are discussed.
  • The patient must be informed about the problem of retinal complications and the importance of regular examinations, even when free of symptoms.