London Medical Ophthalmology

Diabetic eye diseases

At London Medical, our ophthalmologists are the leading experts in treating and managing diabetic eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema (DMO). They will work with you to develop a personalised treatment plan to protect your eye health and prevent vision loss. 

Diabetes is the leading cause of preventable sight loss in the UK, so it’s critical to have annual eye exams to monitor and detect any changes in your eye health. 

At London Medical, you’ll receive the very best care from leading ophthalmologists at the forefront of their field. London Medical brings together state-of-the-art equipment and diagnostics, a friendly and caring team, and prompt treatment tailored to your needs – all in our comfortable and accessible ground-floor clinic.  

We know it can be frightening to be diagnosed with an eye condition. In addition to outstanding eye care, you’ll also have access to end-to-end diabetes support. Co-located within London Medical, the London Diabetes Centre is the UK’s leading private provider of specialist diabetes care. A world-class team of diabetologists, dieticians, and diabetic nurses will help you maintain control of your blood glucose levels and provide expert tips on leading a healthy life with diabetes.    

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What are diabetic eye diseases?

Diabetes is a disease that affects the body in many different ways. When your blood glucose is consistently high over time, it damages your blood vessels. This can lead to complications with your heart, kidneys, feet, and eyes. If you have poor blood sugar control, over time it can affect the tiny blood vessels at the back of your eyes that supply blood to the retina (the light-sensitive tissue that allows us to see). 

Signs and symptoms of diabetic eye disease

There are often no early warning signs of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic maculopathy until the disease has progressed to a later stage. That’s why early detection and treatment are so important.  

If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, you should see an ophthalmologist for a complete eye exam: 

  • gradual deterioration of vision 
  • blurred central vision 
  • frequently changing vision 
  • sudden loss of vision 
  • dark shapes floating in your field of vision (floaters) 
  • pain or redness of the eye 

Get in touch

Contact us today for appointment bookings and general enquiries.

Diagnosing diabetic eye diseases

Regular eye screenings are vital for the early detection of diabetic eye disease. The London Diabetes Centre offers annual screenings as part of its face-to-face support plans. 

Alternatively, you can book an appointment with us if you would like a second opinion on your NHS screening results, or if you have noticed any changes in your vision that you are concerned about. 

A complete eye exam typically includes the following investigations:

Treatment for diabetic eye diseases

In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic maculopathy, your ophthalmologist will advise you to have more frequent screenings to monitor your condition. Meanwhile, you will be advised to control and manage your blood sugar and make healthy lifestyle changes that can slow the progression of diabetic eye disease. 

If your condition is more advanced, you will need immediate treatment to prevent vision loss. Your consultant might recommend one or more of the following treatments: 

Ophthalmologists in London

Our locations

London

London Medical is located in the Harley Street medical area. Together with top experts across a range of multi-disciplinary fields, we offer the finest facilities for your care, all under one roof.

Opening hours
Clinic
Monday to Friday 8.30am to 8pm
Pharmacy
Monday to Friday 8.30am to 8pm
Switchboard
Monday to Friday 8.30am to 8pm

Speak to a member of our team

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Contact the appointments team

If you have any questions or want to book an appointment, please speak to our team on +44 (0)800 0483 330.

If you wish to book online, for private GP appointments, please use our GP appointment form.

Or, make an enquiry online using this form and one of our team will be in touch. Please note, all the information collected is required as part of our registration process. By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by our team. You don't need a referral from your GP to make an appointment with us.