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    ophthalmology

    Diabetic Retinopathy (adjunctive support)

    Also known as: diabetic retinopathy, diabetic eye disease, bleeding in the retina

    Diabetic retinopathy is diabetes damage to the retina's blood vessels — the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. Blood-sugar and blood-pressure control plus eye screening and treatment (injections, laser) preserve vision. Chinese medicine treats qi-yin deficiency, vessel stasis and liver-kidney deficiency alongside.

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    Lifestyle & Diet

    • •Annual dilated eye checks are essential from diagnosis of diabetes.
    • •Keep blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol at target — all three protect the retina.
    • •Stop smoking.
    • •Report new floaters, flashes or vision loss urgently.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    See sources
    • •Herbal support never replaces diabetes or eye treatment.[]

    When to reassess or seek care again

    See sources

    Review every 8–12 weeks with ophthalmology and diabetes teams: HbA1c, visual acuity, retinal findings.

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    Sources & Further Reading

    Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.

    1. Diabetic retinopathy — NHS
      NHS · 2024
    2. Diabetic retinopathy — MedlinePlus
      National Library of Medicine · 2024
    3. Healthdirect Australia
      Healthdirect Australia · 2024

    Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.