SPECSAVERS: Ask the Optician – Eyes on Diabetes

Next Thursday 14th November is World Diabetes Day, an important awareness campaign for shining a light on this rapidly growing health condition. According to the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF), around 1 in 3 people with diabetes develop some form of eye health complication, therefore understanding diabetes and its side effects is the first step towards preventing it, managing it and reducing the risk of complications.

Isabel Fenollar from Specsavers Ópticas in Javea has answered some questions about this important topic:

How many people have diabetes?

Unfortunately, diabetes is one of the fastest growing health conditions today, fuelled by record levels of obesity, excessive sugar consumption and sedentary lifestyles. Spain has the second highest diabetes prevalence in Europe and 14.8% of adults in Spain are living with diabetes – that’s over 5 million people.

What are the complications of diabetes?

People living with diabetes have an increased risk of developing diabetes complications which can affect the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, nerves, teeth and gums. According to the IDF, 1 in 3 people with diabetes will develop some form of vision loss during their lifetime. Kidney failure is ten times more common in people with diabetes and a lower limb is lost to diabetes somewhere in the world every 30 seconds.

How can diabetes effect eye sight?

Diabetes can affect the small blood vessels and capillaries of the body if it is not properly controlled. Diabetic changes can occur in the blood vessels at the back of the eye, causing diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in working age adults, so it’s hugely important that diabetes is detected early and monitored correctly to minimise the risk of avoidable sight loss. Diabetes can also have other ocular pathological effects, including cataracts and retinal detachments. Severe changes, if left untreated, can result in blindness.

What can we do to prevent damage to the eye from diabetes?

In order to avoid problems with sight, it is important that blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels are controlled. Not all diabetes causes sight loss, but it is important to have regular screenings and eye tests so that any problems or changes can be monitored.

Specsavers Ópticas in Javea is raising funds for diabetes research foundation DiabetesCERO until the end of the year. They have raised over €600 to date and welcome donations in store. They are located at Avenida Del Pla 125, Edificio Caribe, Local 6, Jávea, 03738. Visit www.specsavers.es to find your nearest store and request an appointment.