(Emirates247) — Diabetes and hypertension can lead to various eye ailments, two senior ophthalmologists have said. Both diabetes and hypertension are on the rise amongst residents of the region, the doctors said.
The ophthalmologists, Dr. Ajay Aurora and Dr. Manoj Rai Mehta, were talking at Synerge, a Continual Medical Education (CME) programme organised by ASTER in Dubai recently. The event was organised in co-ordination with the Dubai Health Authority. Over 90 doctors from UAE hospitals and clinics participated.
Dr. Ajay Aurora, Director at Delhi Retina Centre, and Senior Consultant Viteoretina at Aster Eye Clinic, New Delhi, said: “Diabetes is an epidemic and currently one of the major cause of concern in the UAE.
“Our body system is interrelated and it does not take much time for a disease like diabetes to also affect the eyes. Early diagnosis and providing the right treatment and medication is essential,” he said.
UAE has been ranked the second highest worldwide for diabetes prevalence. Dr. Aurora quoted with figures mentioning showing diabetes on the rise in Dubai. Apparently, over 26 per cent of diabetic cases in the UAE are from Dubai and every fourth person in the region is diabetic. More than 40 to 50 per cent of the people are at risk of diabetes in the region.
He explained how eyes get affected in diabetic conditions and those who are diabetic for over 20 years are at 60 per cent risk of their eyes being affected. In 2007, at Al Ain Hospital, more than 54 per cent patients were found diabetic or obese.
Diabetic or obese patients should be screened for diabetic eye diseases, and should be treated immediately, he said.
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After ending up in accident and emergency departments five times in four years with ‘panic’ attacks, with a pulse rate and blood pressure readings over 200 I think I have finally cracked the cause.
My high blood pressure is linked to hypoglycaemia. If I cut sugar out of my diet (which I find very difficult as I have a really sweet tooth) the hypoglycaemic episodes disappear, the blood pressure drops significantly, and the Resperate machine helps me deal with day to day stress which might otherwise cause BP spikes.
I have had NO help from my doctor in researching this – the UK NHS seems committed to the drug route in dealing with high BP. I have done it by observing my own body, keeping a diary, talking to others, lots of reading on nutrition and high blood pressure and experimenting with what I eat.
It’s been a long haul but I’m determined to get off the drugs and stay healthy. This level of discipline is difficult for someone who is creative and has a chaotic lifestyle like myself but it’s got to be worth it!
For those of you who have a bad time on your meds and can’t find a combo that suits you have a look at your diet, avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates and keep a food/bp diary. This approach should suit people with pre- and mild diabetes which is why I am posting under this entry.