We are concerned that patients with
diabetes really don’t understand as much as they should about their eyes and
diabetic retinopathy. A recent study exploring patients’ understanding of
the risk factors, cause and controllability of their own diabetic
retinopathy revealed considerable misunderstanding, gaps in knowledge and
potentially damaging beliefs about the cause and treatment of diabeticretinopathy.
Focus groups and interviews were
conducted with 57 patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR), nearly half of whom
had severe proliferative DR-a serious complication. Most of these patients had
also undergone laser treatment. At the conclusion of the study, patients were
found to have had a reasonable understanding of the basic risk factors for DR,
such as diabetes control, but they were less clear about specific risk factors
such as blood pressure and lipid control.
Most patients attributed their DR
either to poor diabetes control or to failings of the health care system,
rather than having a basic understanding of the small blood vessel disease
including circulatory and oxygen deprivation that results from the damaged
blood vessels in the retina. Some patients believed that their DR was a result
of health aspects beyond their control or environmental factors, whereas others
were unsure about the cause. Improving patients' understanding of the major
risk factors for DR as well as helping them have a better understanding of the
causes of diabetic retinopathy and being able to grasp expectations of
realistic outcomes of laser treatment may improve patients' coping mechanisms,
adaption to disease and ocular outcomes.
If
you or someone you know is concerned about diabetic retinopathy, they are encouraged to schedule an eye examination at
D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care or
facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate
treatment plan.
D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice with office locations at 479 Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster, Massachusetts 01523, 100 Powder Mill Road, Acton, Massachusetts 01720, 413 Main Street, Athol, Massachusetts 01331 and 74 Main Street, Gardner, Massachusetts 01440 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area.
D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice with office locations at 479 Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster, Massachusetts 01523, 100 Powder Mill Road, Acton, Massachusetts 01720, 413 Main Street, Athol, Massachusetts 01331 and 74 Main Street, Gardner, Massachusetts 01440 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area.
