Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that's associated with long-standing diabetes.

It's a major cause of poor vision in the UK.

Retinopathy can occur with all types of diabetes. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness. The longer a person has diabetes, the higher their chances of developing diabetic retinopathy.

Retinopathy is the name given to 'disease of the retina' due to diabetes. Prolonged periods of high blood sugar levels cause damage to the small blood vessels in the retina at the back of the eye.

These blood vessels initially become leaky, and then may become blocked off. This causes haemorrhages (spots of blood) and exudates (proteins) from the blood vessels on to the retina. It may also cause swelling, known as oedema of the retina.

The blocked vessels can starve the retina of oxygen, leading to the growth of new abnormal vessels from the retina.

Eventually there may be so much damage that the vessel closes up and the retina stops working.

Good control of diabetes by controlling the blood sugar level helps to reduce the chances of developing retinopathy.

Monitoring and Screening

Diagnosis is made by examining the back of the eye (retina).

Until diabetic retinopathy is at a very advanced stage, vision is not usually affected. This means it's usually detected by routine checks, making regular eye examinations a must for people with diabetes.

Early diagnosis will also help treatment.

Everyone with diabetes should have their eyes examined each year. This may be carried out by the doctor who looks after your diabetes, your GP, or through local programmes that use an optician or diabetic screening eye vans.

If there is any evidence of retinopathy picked up, you will be referred to an eye clinic.
The frequency of follow-up then needed depends on the extent of the retinopathy

There is an increased risk of retinopathy:

• with poor blood sugar control, i.e. levels are too high for too much of the time
• if there's protein in your urine
• if you have high blood pressure
• the longer you've had diabetes  
• if you have raised levels of fats (triglycerides) in the blood
• the more swellings you have (microaneurysms)
• with pregnancy (but not in diabetes caused by pregnancy).

Case Report

T –v- Oldham NHS Trust

The Claimant attended his GP surgery in December 1997 suffering from symptoms of diabetic eye disease (diabetic retinopathy). At this time his GP failed to make a routine referral to the ophthalmic department of the local hospital.

The Claimant’s condition deteriorated and he returned to the surgery in January 1998.

On this occasion he saw another GP who referred him as a routine case. Since the initial visit to the GP his condition had deteriorated and he needed urgent treatment.

When he eventually got to see a specialist at the Royal Oldham Hospital, the ophthalmology compounded his suffering by failing to diagnose the extent of his problem.

As a result of the substandard care, by both the GP and the, hospital , the Claimant has been left totally blind and he received £350,000 in compensation.

If you are concerned about any aspect of your treatment or a family members treatment and the below questions are relevant please contact us.

QUESTIONS

1. Do you have a member of family that is a diabetic and have you developed poor vision.
2. Are you a diabetic and have you developed poor vision?
3. Have you been diagnosed as suffering from diabetic retinopathy?
4. Have you had your eyes been examined regularly each year by the doctor who looks after your diabetes, your GP, or through local programmes that use an optician or diabetic screening eye vans?
5. Are you concerned that either you or a member of your family has not been adequately followed and screened and has suffered damage to sight?

Notes

John Pickering and Partners LLP

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Our clients are people who have suffered injury as a result of a medical accident in the UK.  We are clinical and medical negligence solicitors.  We handle negligence claims against hospitals, GP’s and other medical practitioners for clients across the UK. 

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If you need advice about a clinical negligence claim, contact us now for information about making a claim for compensation.