Diabetic retinopathy is a well-recognised complication of diabetes mellitus. Well-conducted clinical trials have proven that good control of diabetes and high blood pressure significantly reduces the risk for diabetic retinopathy.  Moreover, there is vast evidence that treatment of established retinopathy can reduce the risk for visual loss by more than 90%.

Once vision has been lost due to diabetic retinopathy, it usually cannot be restored, although some forms of retinopathy can be treated by complex surgery, which we unfortunately will unlikely be able to do in Congo. However, we implement screening programs for detecting diabetic retinopathy at a stage at which treatment can prevent visual loss.  We work along side the physicians in managing diabetic patients in our hospital.