Miss Althauser is a Consultant Ophthalmologist, Clinical Lead in Diabetic Retinal Screening, and Honorary Lecturer at the Royal Free Hospital, London which she joined in 1995. She also practices privately at the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth, London. In 2007 Miss Althauser was named as Advanced Medical Leader for the BAMM (British Association of Medical Managers) Management Programme. Her specialist interests include diabetic eye disease and cataractLoss of transparency of the lens of the eye. surgery.
She has been involved in the treatment of diabetic retinopathyDamage to the retina caused by diabetes since 1995 with well over a thousand laser treatments for diabetic eye disease and over 3000 cataract operations performed. Miss Althauser is also on the staff of the Dispensaire Francais in London, a charitable society providing medical assistance to French speakers in the UK.
Miss Althauser trained in ophthalmology at the Albert Ludwig University Medical School in Freiburg, Germany where she obtained her MD. Prior to this she held training posts in the UK in A&E, Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynecology where she obtained a Diploma in Immediate Medical Care (DRCOG). She obtained a Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, in 1994.
Personal philosophy: “Excellent communication skills are vital to explain the condition to the patient and to involve them in the treatment process as much as possible. A patient must be seen as a whole and be offered access to a multidisciplinaryRelating to a group of healthcare professionals with different areas of specialisation. approach.”
Articles:
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Diabetes can lead to damage in the eye called Diabetic Retinopathy. High bloodA fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid. sugar levels cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina
The light sensitive membrane that lines the back, inner surface of the eye and enables sight.
, resulting in bleeding, and leakage of exudates. In advanced disease this leads to the formation of abnormal new blood vessels. Diabetic retinopathyAny disorder of the retina, the innermost layer of the eye. is the most common cause of blindness in the western world.
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Diabetes can lead to various degrees of eye disease (diabetic retinopathyDamage to the retina caused by diabetes), which is the most common cause of partial or total blindness in the western world. Diabetic retinopathy leads to swelling in the centre of the eye caused by leaking bloodA fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid. vessels (macular oedemaThe accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues of the body.) and/or to the production of faulty new blood vessels leading to bleeding in the eye and detachment of the nerveBundle of fibres that carries information in the form of electrical impulses. fiber layer. Diabetic patients need yearly eye check ups. A national screeningA way to identify people who may have a certain condition, among a group of people who may or may not seem to programme currently offers yearly photography of the eyes. Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy are a decline in eyesight or loss of eyesight. The first step in treating diabetic retinopathy is to improve the diabetic control including control of blood pressureThe pressure of blood within the arteries. and cholesterolA substance present in many tissues and an important constituent of cell membranes although high concentrations of a certain type of cholesterol in the blood are unhealthy. levels. Treatment options depend on the severity and location of the diabetic retinopathy and include laser treatment, injections into the eye with Anti-VEGF drugs and vitrectomy.
