Diabetic Eye Care & Ophthalmology in Abu Dhabi

Ophthalmology is the medical specialty concerned with eye health, vision and conditions affecting structures such as the retina. Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in the retina, causing diabetic retinopathy, and can also lead to diabetic macular edema or maculopathy. At HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center in Abu Dhabi, ophthalmology services focus on comprehensive eye assessment, diabetic retinopathy screening, retinal imaging and treatment when clinically indicated.

Symptoms of Diabetic Eye Disease

Diabetic retinopathy can develop without noticeable symptoms, particularly in its early stages. This makes regular retinal assessment important even when vision appears normal. As diabetic eye disease progresses, symptoms may include:

  • Blurred or fluctuating vision

  • Dark spots or floaters

  • Difficulty seeing clearly at night

  • Reduced or distorted central vision

  • Areas of vision that appear dark or missing

  • Sudden changes in vision

A sudden loss of vision or a sudden increase in floaters, flashes or dark areas should be assessed promptly.

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Causes and Risk Factors

Diabetic retinopathy develops when prolonged high blood glucose damages retinal blood vessels. Risk generally increases with longer duration of diabetes and poorer glucose control. High blood pressure and abnormal lipid levels can also increase the risk or progression of diabetic retinopathy.

People with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can develop diabetic eye disease. Pregnancy can also affect retinopathy risk in people with pre-existing diabetes, making appropriate eye assessment and follow-up especially important.

Ophthalmology Diagnosis and Assessment

A diabetic eye assessment looks for changes before they cause significant vision problems and determines whether treatment or closer monitoring is needed.

HealthPlus ophthalmology services include a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, auto-refraction, intraocular pressure measurement, slit-lamp examination and a dilated fundus examination. Retinal assessment can also include optical coherence tomography (OCT), digital retinal photography and retinal autofluorescence photography when clinically appropriate.

OCT is a non-invasive imaging test that produces detailed cross-sectional images of the retina. It can help identify retinal swelling, including diabetic macular edema, and monitor changes over time. A dilated retinal examination and retinal photography help the ophthalmologist assess signs and severity of diabetic retinopathy.

HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center

Diabetic Eye Disease Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the type and severity of retinal changes. Some patients may need regular monitoring and optimisation of diabetes, blood pressure and lipid management alongside their diabetes care team. More advanced or sight-threatening disease may require ophthalmic treatment.

HealthPlus lists the following treatments within its diabetic ophthalmology service:

  • Laser retinal photocoagulation for diabetic retinopathy

  • Intravitreal injections for diabetic maculopathy

Laser photocoagulation uses targeted laser treatment on the retina and may be recommended for particular forms of diabetic retinopathy. Intravitreal treatment involves medication delivered directly into the eye and may be used for diabetic macular disease when indicated. The ophthalmologist determines the appropriate treatment after examining the retina and reviewing imaging findings.

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When Should You See an Ophthalmologist?

People with diabetes should not wait for vision changes before having their eyes assessed. Current American Diabetes Association guidance recommends a comprehensive dilated eye examination at diagnosis for people with type 2 diabetes and within five years of the onset of type 1 diabetes. Follow-up frequency depends on whether retinopathy is present and how it is progressing.

You should also seek ophthalmology care if you notice new blurred vision, floaters or other changes in sight, or if a previous diabetic eye examination identified retinal abnormalities.

Meet our ophthalmology specialist

Meet the HealthPlus clinical team

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Why Choose HealthPlus for Diabetic Eye Care in Abu Dhabi?

HealthPlus provides ophthalmology within its Diabetes & Endocrinology Center, allowing diabetic eye care to sit alongside wider diabetes management. The service combines comprehensive eye examination with retinal imaging, diabetic retinopathy evaluation and treatment options including retinal laser photocoagulation and intravitreal injections for diabetic maculopathy.

HealthPlus also lists an ophthalmology specialist at the center with a special interest in retina and diabetic retinopathy, strengthening continuity between diabetes care and specialist retinal assessment.

Diabetes and endocrinology services

Book an Appointment

If you have diabetes, regular eye assessment can help detect retinal changes before they noticeably affect vision. Book an appointment with the Ophthalmology service at HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center in Abu Dhabi for diabetic eye screening, retinal assessment or specialist review of diabetes-related vision changes.

Book an Appointment

Frequently Asked Questions

People with type 2 diabetes should have a dilated comprehensive eye examination when diabetes is diagnosed. Adults with type 1 diabetes should have their first examination within five years of onset. Follow-up may be every one to two years when no retinopathy is found, but more frequent review is needed when retinal changes are present.

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