diabetic

my 66 year old mother went to the dr today for a check up. he is sending her to the retinal specialist (my dr) for a check up. he said that there is no detachment.  She is diabetic and has been for almost 15 years. why would he send her to the retinal spec if there is no RD? does diabetes cause retinal tears?

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear Cristina1676,

Diabetes can affect the retinal vasculature.  The doctor is being thorough in having your mother evaluated by a specialist to evaluate whether she has signs of diabetic eye disease, which can be manifest by looking at the back of the eye.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California

[dukey]

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes and the longer the duration of diabetes, the higher the risk. If her diabetes is well controlled (HbA1c <7%) there is a much lower chance of developing this problem. If caught early, treatment is excellent and it should be very manageable. Good luck.

[cristina1676]

thank you very much