People with diabetes are being urged to attend regular eye screening that is offered to them free of charge as part of Diabetic RetinaScreen, the National Diabetic Retinal Screening Programme.

According to Diabetes Ireland, the national charity for people with the condition, one person with diabetes goes blind in Ireland every week as a result of a common complication, diabetic retinopathy.

In the early stages, diabetic retinopathy does not affect sight, but eventually vision can be affected. In fact, the eye disease is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults in Ireland and in about 10% of those affected, diabetic macular edema (DME) may occur, which if not caught and treated effectively, can lead to a rapid form of vision loss.

With DME, blood vessels leak their contents into the macular area of the retina.

Anyone with diabetes over the age of 12 can avail of regular eye screening as part of Diabetic RetinaScreen, however, according to Sinead Hanley, a senior dietician with Diabetes Ireland, ‘unfortunately, many people with diabetes are not taking up their invitation to make an appointment'.

"I cannot express strongly enough how important it is for everyone, on receipt of their invitation letter, to ring for their appointment. Attending for regular eye screening appointments will significantly improve your chances of avoiding eye problems in the future," she said.

One way that people with diabetes can help to ward of these eye conditions is by eating healthily and in response to this, Diabetes Ireland has launched a new recipe booklet which promotes good eye health.

"Following a healthy lifestyle by taking regular physical activity and achieving a healthy weight through a balanced diet is the key to managing your diabetes and maintaining healthy eyes and reducing the risk of developing DME and diabetic retinopathy," Ms Hanley noted.

The booklet contains information about diabetes, diabetic retinopathy and healthy eating in general. It also contains 26 recipes which are suitable for people with diabetes and their families.

A copy of the recipe booklet is available here

For more information on eye health in general, see our Eye Clinic here