By Nicos Antoniades | The Optical Gallery | TEF Magazine
This week’s Beedie On Eyewear is exactly the kind of episode I think every optical professional, and every patient, should hear. In fact, I’ll be sharing this one in our monthly client newsletter to reinforce the message, because the reality is, most people have no idea how quietly, and seriously, diabetes can affect the eyes.
Beedie is joined by Daren Hanumunthadu, a Consultant Ophthalmologist, who breaks the topic down clearly and calmly. He explains how diabetes doesn’t just affect the body. It can cause early cataracts (often a decade sooner than usual) and, more worryingly, damage to the retina. That damage builds slowly, as diabetes alters the small blood vessels at the back of the eye, causing them to leak or block. Often, there are no warning signs until it’s too late.
He also touches on a few truths the public rarely hears: the longer you’ve had diabetes, the higher the risk to your vision. Certain ethnic groups, including South Asian, Afro-Caribbean, and East Asian communities, are statistically more prone. And while sugar control is vital, so is managing blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, and staying active.
The part that really stood out to me was how Daren praised the UK’s Diabetic Eye Screening Programme. It’s not talked about enough, but we are genuinely leading the world in this area, with state-of-the-art retinal photography, regular monitoring, and fast hospital referrals when something looks off. But let’s be clear: screening is not a substitute for a full eye exam, and many patients still go years without a proper check.
Daren also walks us through treatment options. He explains how laser treatment doesn’t improve your vision, it’s used to prevent things from getting worse. There are also injections to control abnormal blood vessel growth and fluid leakage, and in more advanced cases, surgery. These aren’t quick fixes, they’re about slowing progression and protecting what sight remains.
One detail I appreciated was the discussion around semaglutide (Ozempic). A diabetes drug that’s gained popularity as a weight loss aid. Daren stresses that patients should always inform their eye care team if they’re using it, especially if it’s been sourced privately or online, because it may change how we monitor the eyes or respond to changes.
And this is where I want to speak directly: as qualified professionals, we can’t assume patients know what we know. Most don’t. We are the experts, and part of being an expert is using what we know to educate others. Whether it’s during a routine dispense or a full eye exam, we need to make space for these conversations. Because we might be the only person who tells them before it’s too late.
Whether you’re in the trade or not, give it a listen. It’s important.
