National Diabetes Week 2019
It is National Diabetes Week and Macular Disease Foundation Australia is warning that everyone with diabetes is at risk of developing diabetic eye disease.
The most common form of diabetic eye disease is diabetic retinopathy (DR). Approximately one in three people over the age of 50 with diabetes has DR, which is the leading cause of preventable blindness in working-age Australians.
The longer a person has diabetes, the greater the likelihood of diabetic eye disease. However, many cases of vision loss from DR can be prevented with regular eye exams, careful management of diabetes, medication and – in some cases – treatment with injections and / or laser.
National Diabetes Week runs from 14–20 July with the theme: ‘It’s About Time’. The campaign, run by Diabetes Australia, aims to encourage early detection and early, optimal treatment of type 2 diabetes which evidence shows can produce health benefits for people and prevent hospitalisations.
Diabetes Australia says an estimated 500,000 Australians are living with silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes – but it can be doing damage to their bodies and many will only be diagnosed late – when a diabetes complication such as eye disease impacts their lives.
If you are living with diabetes, or have been recently diagnosed, MDFA order your free information booklet on diabetic eye disease. Early action could save your sight.
Order online or call our National Helpline on 1800 111 709.