I was in Grade 9, and we had a visit from a gospel outreach team at our school. As always, they extended an invitation and at the end, mentioned that if anyone had something they wanted to talk or pray about, we could meet one of the team members after.
I met up with one of the girls, and I just started crying. It came to a point where they didn’t exactly know what to do with me, as I couldn’t stop crying. It turns out I was very scared of going blind and that I would never be able to ride my scooter.
My ophthalmologist is almost more important to me than my endocrinologist…, almost. I visit him every year for my annual retinopathy screening.
Please note that screening can be done by either an ophthalmologist or an optometrist if they have been trained in diabetes, but a doctor must make the diagnosis.
Today, we have Optometrist Armand Rautenbach, who completed his B. Optometry at the University of the Free State (UFS) and practiced in South Africa before taking on an Educational and Medical Manager position at EGMA, in Dubai. Armand has a passion for working with and uplifting people. Today he will share his insights with us.
Who is Armand?
I’m your average 33-year-old with a passion for travel and all things geeky, from the latest gadgets to board games. At work, I’m the Educational and Medical Manager for an optical industry solutions provider and ophthalmic lens manufacturer in Dubai. In this role, I oversee technical and clinical training for optometrists across the Middle East. My mission is to enhance optometrists’ skills, ultimately improving customer service and satisfaction. I have gained valuable experience practicing in South Africa before taking on this role in Dubai. I see myself as a dedicated professional with a passion for working with and uplifting people.
How do you see your role as part of a Diabetes Care Team?
As someone responsible for training optometrists, I believe it is crucial to educate optometrists on the intersection of optometry and diabetes care, and by doing so I’m indirectly educating the public. By utilising my knowledge of diabetes-related eye complications and related optometric practices, my role can contribute to the overall effectiveness of a Diabetes Care Team. Ensuring that optometrists are well-versed in eye care in the context of diabetes ultimately enhances client education, outcomes and well-being.
Why is it important to include you in the Diabetes Care Team?
I believe my inclusion in the Diabetes Care Team could provide a valuable and often overlooked perspective. As an optometrist, we play a crucial role as frontline healthcare providers, often being the first to identify early retinal indicators of diabetes during routine eye examinations. By bringing attention to this, we can significantly reduce the risks associated with undiagnosed diabetes for many. This not only highlights the importance of regular eye check-ups but also emphasizes the broader impact optometrists can have on overall health outcomes. By raising awareness about the contribution of optometrists in early diabetes detection, we empower individuals to prioritize eye health as an essential component of their overall well-being.
Your Number 1 Tip for a Person Living with Diabetes?
In my experience, I cannot stress enough the importance of regular eye exams for individuals living with diabetes. By making these exams a priority, one can proactively manage any potential complications related to eye health in diabetes. Early detection through routine check-ups is a key factor in preserving vision and contributing to a better quality of life.
Where can we find you?
Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn for further professional interactions and discussions. I value the opportunity to engage with others and share insights within the optometry and diabetes care communities.
Continue the diabetes care and advocacy conversation with ‘not ARTIFICIALLY Sweetened’, a FREE weekly CDE Academy podcast, providing unfiltered reflections on all thing’s diabetes. These podcasts, aimed at both people with diabetes and the health professionals that facilitate their care, offer a free weekly knowledge, attitudes, skills and insight update. Join specialist physician Dr Stan Landau, and diabetes specialist nurse, Michael Brown in building bridges of shared insights between all people touched by diabetes. Now available on Spotify with listeners in 29 countries! If you see value in this podcast, we would appreciate you sharing either of the two image-based adverts attached with any health professional, or person with diabetes you know. If you have any questions, suggestions, comments or contributions for future episodes, please email Stan and Michael @ Podcast@CDEDiabetes.co.za
E xx
The Travellingmind 