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For Healthcare Professionals

This section contains information specifically for healthcare professionals that have an interest in Diabetes. To access this area you must be registered on this site and be logged in.

Services for Professionals

Under 18?

This section is for under 18's and contains a great interactive tool to help you and your family learn more about diabetes.

Managing Diabetes

- The interactive web tool for children and families. It may be helpful to look at this section with your parents at first.

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Managing Diabetes Complications

father and daughter at computer

As you may already know, controlling your blood glucose is important for avoiding hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia—blood glucose lows and highs.

By keeping your blood glucose level in your target range, you may delay or prevent long-term complications. High blood glucose levels can damage many parts of your body, including your eyes, heart and toes. The good news is that you, along with your healthcare professional, may be able to lessen the impact of diabetes complications on your life.

This section list some of the more common diabetes-related complications, their symptoms and treatments, and some steps your healthcare professional may recommend to help reduce your risk.

Eye Disease

Man reading a newspaper

People with diabetes are at elevated risk for several types of eye disease, including retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma. Any of these diseases can lead to blindness over time. Early detection is the key to avoiding or lessening the risk of these diseases.

Retinopathy, the most common eye disease in people with diabetes, is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the retina. In some cases, these vessels may swell and leak fluid. This is called non-proliferative, or background, retinopathy.

As these areas heal, scarring occurs and abnormal new blood vessels may grow on the retina's surface, causing vision loss or blindness. This is called proliferative retinopathy and has consequences that are more serious. Unfortunately, some level of retinopathy is common, especially in people who have had diabetes for many years. But with good control of your blood glucose levels, it does not have to affect your vision.

Cataracts cloud the lens of the eye. They are often an early complication of diabetes. An annual eye exam can help detect cataracts before they become severe.

Glaucoma is an increased pressure in the fluid inside the eye. This can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss. Glaucoma is more common in people with type 2 diabetes.

Reducing Your Risk for Eye Disease

Taking a few important steps may greatly reduce your risk of diabetes-related eye disease.

  • Control your blood glucose. As average blood glucose levels rise, so does the risk of retinopathy. Typically, the better a person's blood glucose control, the slower the onset and progression of retinopathy. Proper control may also decrease your chance of getting cataracts.
  • Reduce your blood pressure. High blood pressure may increase the risk of retinopathy.
  • Stop smoking. Smoking raises your risk of cataracts and many other diabetes-related complications.
  • Get an annual dilated-eye exam. People with diabetic eye disease often have no symptoms or pain until a disease becomes advanced. Your Optometrist can detect retinopathy before you have any vision problems. A dilated-eye exam lets your Optometrist examine the blood vessels in the back of the eye. The earlier retinopathy is diagnosed, the better your chances for preventing further damage to your eyes.
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Imagine Complete Diabetes Management that Fits in the Palm of Your Hand. A state-of-the-art system that partners a “smart” blood glucose meter with a reliable insulin pump to bring you a new level of freedom and flexibility.
Are you ready to pump?

Adults and children alike are realizing the benefits of insulin pump therapy. Use this interactive tool to discover what pump therapy can do for you.

 The Accu-Chek Support Kitchen Corner

Hungry to learn more about food and nutrition that’s just right for you? We have loads of great recipes, meal planning options to suit your needs and your everyday eating plan. Ask our “Expert”!

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This website contains information on products which are targeted to a wide range of audiences and could contain product details or information otherwise not accessible or valid in your country. Please be aware that we do not take any responsibility for accessing such information which may not comply with any valid legal process, regulation, registration or usage in the country of your origin. For people with diabetes. Use only as directed. See your healthcare professional for medical advice.