Abu Dhabi Doctors Set Their Sights on Diabetic Eye Disease

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and Imperial College London Diabetes Centre Align to Expand Eye Care Services

Two leading organizations within Mubadala’s Network of healthcare providers, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, are increasing their level of collaboration as part of efforts to tackle diabetic eye disease, one of the world’s leading causes of blindness. 

As part of the new agreement, diabetic patients can benefit from Imperial College London Diabetes Centre’s holistic approach to diabetes management, receiving vision screenings and non-surgical treatment in the center’s ophthalmology clinic. Those who require surgery can now have seamless referral through to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Eye Institute, which is one of the region’s leading treatment centers. 

“The high prevalence and the severity of diabetes in the UAE means that patients tend to develop more complicated diabetic eye disease and often at a younger age. Working directly with Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, we are now able to diagnose related vision issues sooner and provide surgical treatment as necessary,” explains Dr. Scott Smith, Chair of the Eye Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. 

The UAE has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the Middle East with almost 1.2 million people or over 17% of the population living with the condition. Diabetes is directly linked to a number of threats to a patient’s eyesight, caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the capillaries in the retina. This damage can lead to a loss of vision and eventual blindness. 

“Diabetic eye disease can be one of the most troubling complications for our patients. By partnering with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Eye Institute, our patients will now have seamless access to the surgical treatments as required, support by the comprehensive diabetes monitoring and management we offer,” says Dr. Safdar Naqvi, Medical Director, Imperial College London Diabetes Centre.

Traditionally, patients who require eye surgery in the UAE have traveled abroad for treatment. Patients can now receive vision-saving care closer to home and, crucially, as part of their overall disease management. 

“Eye surgery requires a great deal of pre- and post-operative care. This is especially true of diabetic eye disease where surgery needs to be coordinated with the patient’s long-term care team. By working closely with Imperial College London Diabetes Centre and the team managing the patient’s condition, we can offer a higher level of care and better outcomes,” says Dr. Smith. 

Imperial College London Diabetes Centre is a one-stop, state-of-the-art, out-patient facility specializing in diabetes treatment, research, training and public health awareness. It has developed a tailored, multi-disciplinary, holistic approach to the treatment of diabetes, endocrinology and their related complications so that patients get the full spectrum of care they need, all in one place.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Eye Institute offers state-of-the-art medical and surgical treatments ranging from laser vision correction to advanced procedures for all serious ophthalmological disorders in both adults and children.

To book an appointment at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Eye Institute, call 800 8 CCAD (2223) or visit www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae