Aiding the Person who is Visually Impaired from Diabetes
1985
Cleary, Margaret E.
Some degree of diabetic retinopathy exists with alarm ing frequency in persons who have diabetes mellitus. The diabetes educator is often in a position to direct, teach, and counsel the patient who is involved in diagnosis, treat ment, and rehabilitation. The educator's role may vary — offering an informed listening ear; providing simple explanations about the eye, the disease processes, and treatment; giving clear instruc tions about how to perform some activity independently; and directing the person to the appropriate resources for specialized assistance. Being an expert in retinopathy or rehabilitation of per sons who are visually impaired is not necessary. Being in terested, innovative, aware, and curious can help the dia betes educator obtain the knowledge, skills, and direction that need to be imparted to the patient. This article is offered to provide information about the effects of diabetic retinopathy on vision, the difficulties ex perienced by persons with both diabetes and visual impair ment, and helpful hints as a means of resolving some dilemmas. The text will indicate references where further information can be obtained. A numbered resource list will be found at the end.
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