| [ Summary ] |
The majority of diabetic patients who have undergone hemodialysis experience associated diabetic retinopathy. They have a higher incidence of advanced retinopathy compared to the non-hemodialysed diabetic population. The basic principle of opthalmological management for diabetic patients is prevention of irreversible retinal damage. Therefore, all diabetic patients must have their fundi checked by a specialist, even if they have no ocular complications. The proliferative type of diabetic retinopathy, displaying retinal neovascularization,should be treated immediately,using extensive retinal photocoagulation. Pars plana vitrectomy should be considered for patients suffering vitreous hemorrhaging and retinal detachment, instead of retinal photocoagulation. There is no significant difference between surgical outcomes from vitrectomies to treat hemodialysed diabetic patients as compared to non-hemodialysis patients. |