title: Diabetic retinopathy.
abstract: Diabetic retinopathy is the commonest cause of blindness amongst individuals of working age. The onset of retinopathy is variable. Regular ophthalmic screening is essential in order to detect treatable lesions early. Retinal laser therapy is highly effective in slowing the progression of retinopathy and in preventing blindness. As the sufferers of diabetes mellitus, the commonest endocrine disorder, now constitute approximately 1-2% of Western populations, concerted multidisciplinary effort must be made towards cost-effective community screening by the medical community.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, UK.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Infeld
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: O'Shea
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic