Maya Pandova

By Maya Georgieva Pandova

Prevalence of diabetes is rising worldwide. In the course of the last 20 years, blindness and low vision due to diabetic eye complications have increased in large regions in Eastern Europe, North Africa/Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania. The magnitude and trends of vision-threatening disease are presented. Systemic risk factors for progression to sight-threatening disease are reviewed. The impact of economic and cultural background on early diagnosis and adherence to treatment is highlighted. Current management of diabetic macular edema, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, neovascular glaucoma, and cataract surgery of diabetic patients is outlined, and its contribution to preventing vision loss is reviewed.

Part of the book: Visual Impairment and Blindness

By Maya G. Pandova

A substantial group of patients with diabetic macular edema in our clinical practice is at high risk for profound and irreversible vision deterioration. Early identification of modifiable factors with long-term negative impact and their management, close monitoring and timely adjustments in the treatment can significantly reduce the probability of visual disability in the individual patient. This approach can also provide important guidelines for proactive decision making in order to avoid the risk of suboptimal response and unsatisfactory outcome.

Part of the book: Diabetic Eye Disease