19/02/2026
Diabetic retinopathy affects both men and women living with diabetes, but pregnancy can place women with diabetes in a higher-risk category requiring specialist monitoring.
Speaking on Real Health with Karl Henry, Prof. David Keegan, consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Mater Private Network in Dublin, explained that while general risk factors are similar for men and women, women with diabetes who become pregnant need closer surveillance, as retinopathy can progress more rapidly.
Through national screening programme, Diabetic RetinaScreen, of which Prof. Keegan is the clinical director, changes in the retina can be detected early, often before symptoms appear, allowing for timely treatment and protection of sight.
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