At The Eye Care & Surgery Center
we work to educate patients about their eye problems, conditions, diseases and
treatment options as we believe having a solid understanding is important for
their eye health and vision. Understanding diabetic retinopathy poses a
particular challenge for a great number of patents. A recent study exploring patients’ understanding of
the risk factors, cause and controllability of their own diabeticretinopathy revealed considerable misunderstanding, gaps in knowledge and
potentially damaging beliefs about the cause and treatment of diabetic
retinopathy. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 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 has a question about the risks or treatment of diabeticretinopathy, please call The Eye Care & Surgery
Center at 908-789-8999, visit The
Eye Care & Surgery Center
or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.
The Eye
Care & Surgery Center is staffed by a team of Board Certified NJ
Ophthalmologists who are subspecialty Fellowship trained New Jersey eye
surgeons, Opticians, technical and administrative
staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, surgery for cataracts, intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction
such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of
cornea disease including cornea transplants, diagnosis and treatment of
diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration
(AMD) and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, reconstructive and
cosmetic facial surgery including eyelid surgery and facial and skin
rejuvenation as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses,
eyewear and optical services.
With
locations at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10
Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite
1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, The Eye Care &
Surgery Center is a leading NJ eye care practice conveniently located for
patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.
