Clipping Board » Disease & Prevention ─ Understanding diseases, prevention is better than cure.
Update Date: 2009/08/18 19:01
Reporter: Ji Congmao / Hsinchu Report
Dr. Hu Yusheng, Director of Ophthalmology at the Hsinchu Hospital under the Department of Health, stated that a man in his 50s had been experiencing blurred vision for the past two to three months. Even after resting with his eyes closed for a while, his vision remained unclear. He then visited the hospital's ophthalmology department for an examination, where it was discovered that he had diabetic retinopathy caused by diabetes. However, the patient was unaware that he had diabetes.
Dr. Hu Yusheng noted that in outpatient clinics, almost every month, there are patients who visit the ophthalmology department due to blurred vision or floaters. Upon examination, they are found to have diabetes, which has already progressed to the point of causing vitreous hemorrhage, retinal bleeding, or macular edema in the center of the retina. This indicates that the diabetes has likely been present for at least two to three years.
Dr. Hu Yusheng explained that a small number of diabetic patients overlook their body's warning signs and fail to take advantage of the free adult health check-ups (including fasting blood sugar tests) provided by the National Health Insurance for insured individuals aged 40 and above. Often, they only seek medical attention when their vision becomes severely impaired, at which point an ophthalmologist diagnoses them with diabetes.
In Taiwan, diabetic retinopathy caused by diabetes remains a major cause of blindness, particularly among productive young and middle-aged adults, where it is the leading cause of non-traumatic blindness. Many diabetic patients focus solely on controlling their blood sugar levels while neglecting other aspects of their health. By the time they seek treatment for blurred vision or vision loss, their condition often involves severe macular edema, proliferative retinopathy, or vitreous hemorrhage. These patients may require laser treatment, intravitreal drug injections, or vitrectomy surgery to partially restore their vision.
Dr. Hu Yusheng urged the public to recognize that if diabetic retinopathy is detected and treated early, most patients can avoid surgery and maintain better vision. Therefore, it is crucial to undergo annual follow-up eye examinations. The public is encouraged to take advantage of the National Health Insurance's free adult health check-ups—individuals aged 40 to 64 are eligible for a free check-up every three years, while those aged 65 and above can receive one annually—to detect diabetes early. Once diabetes is diagnosed, patients should visit an ophthalmologist to determine whether diabetic retinopathy has developed. Early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy can reduce the risk of vision loss and help maintain quality of life.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 090818/ 17/ 1pbyh. html
Undiagnosed Diabetes Revealed by Retinal Damage
Reporter: Ji Congmao / Hsinchu Report
Dr. Hu Yusheng, Director of Ophthalmology at the Hsinchu Hospital under the Department of Health, stated that a man in his 50s had been experiencing blurred vision for the past two to three months. Even after resting with his eyes closed for a while, his vision remained unclear. He then visited the hospital's ophthalmology department for an examination, where it was discovered that he had diabetic retinopathy caused by diabetes. However, the patient was unaware that he had diabetes.
Dr. Hu Yusheng noted that in outpatient clinics, almost every month, there are patients who visit the ophthalmology department due to blurred vision or floaters. Upon examination, they are found to have diabetes, which has already progressed to the point of causing vitreous hemorrhage, retinal bleeding, or macular edema in the center of the retina. This indicates that the diabetes has likely been present for at least two to three years.
Dr. Hu Yusheng explained that a small number of diabetic patients overlook their body's warning signs and fail to take advantage of the free adult health check-ups (including fasting blood sugar tests) provided by the National Health Insurance for insured individuals aged 40 and above. Often, they only seek medical attention when their vision becomes severely impaired, at which point an ophthalmologist diagnoses them with diabetes.
In Taiwan, diabetic retinopathy caused by diabetes remains a major cause of blindness, particularly among productive young and middle-aged adults, where it is the leading cause of non-traumatic blindness. Many diabetic patients focus solely on controlling their blood sugar levels while neglecting other aspects of their health. By the time they seek treatment for blurred vision or vision loss, their condition often involves severe macular edema, proliferative retinopathy, or vitreous hemorrhage. These patients may require laser treatment, intravitreal drug injections, or vitrectomy surgery to partially restore their vision.
Dr. Hu Yusheng urged the public to recognize that if diabetic retinopathy is detected and treated early, most patients can avoid surgery and maintain better vision. Therefore, it is crucial to undergo annual follow-up eye examinations. The public is encouraged to take advantage of the National Health Insurance's free adult health check-ups—individuals aged 40 to 64 are eligible for a free check-up every three years, while those aged 65 and above can receive one annually—to detect diabetes early. Once diabetes is diagnosed, patients should visit an ophthalmologist to determine whether diabetic retinopathy has developed. Early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy can reduce the risk of vision loss and help maintain quality of life.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 090818/ 17/ 1pbyh. html