Pay close attention to the early prevention and treatment of diabetic blindness
- VernacularTitle:重视糖尿病盲的早期防治
- Author:
Maonian ZHANG
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
diabetic retinopathy;
primary prevention
- From:
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army
1983;0(05):-
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Diabetic mellitus affects the global public health.World Health Organization(WHO) predicted the number of diabetic patients in the world will reach 221 million in 2010.In China,there are over 40 million diabetic patients at present,and the number of diabetic patients grows about 1.2 million each year.Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most severe complications in diabetic patients,and it is also a leading cause of acquired blindness among the adults.Approximately 45% to 58% of diabetic patients have different degree of diabetic retinopathy,and the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy is increasing year by year in pace with the prolongation of the course of diabetic mellitus.Regular screening for early stage diabetic retinopathy is an important means to decrease the visual loss in diabetic patients,therefore,it is inperative to establish a unified international classification for the severity degrees of diabetic retinopathy which would be widely accepted by ophthalmologists all over the world,and a system for early screening,periodic inspection and assessment of patient's conditions.In this way,ophthalmologists can evaluate the progression of diabetic retinopathy scientifically.Through clinical studies under the guidance of the evidence-based medicine,and by selecting the reasonable therapeutic regimens,early screening,periodic inspection,follow-up and treatments would become rational,and blindness rate would be lowered in diabetic patients.Therefore,early discovery and accurate evaluation of diabetic retinopathy,with timely selection of rational therapeutic regimens under the guidance of evidence-based medicine are the primary tasks to prevent and cure diabetic retinopathy,and to avert or revert diabetic blindness,and also important responsibilities of ophthalmologists.
