Over 75% of people with diabetes are unaware of a common condition that causes blindness, diabetic macular edema (DME), according to research.

DME is a form of diabetic retinopathy (DR) that causes blindness in adults with diabetes. In Ireland, one person a week goes blind from DR.

Members of Diabetes Ireland took part in the study, and the results showed that 42% of people with diabetes are most worried about eyesight problems developing, over a quarter are concerned with kidney damage and a further quarter with heart conditions.

However, one in four people with diabetes do not go to their annual eye examination, despite the fact that 42% are worried about the development of eye problems. Dr has no symptoms in its early stages, emphasing the need to attend for eye tests.

A public information evening has been arranged for tonight to raise awareness about eyesight dangers for people with diabetes, available treatment for people with DR and highlighting the importance of full eye examinations today* (May 31).

In Ireland there are over 200,000 people living with diabetes and it is estimated that about 30,000 people are undiagnosed.

To reduce the risk of vision loss diabetes must be managed carefully and people should attend all their healthcare appointments including an annual full eye examination said Kieran O'Leary, CEO of Diabetes Ireland.

A number of organisations including; Diabetes Ireland, the Association of Optometrists Ireland (AOI), the National Council for the Blind in Ireland, Fighting Blindness and the Irish College of Ophthalmologists (ICO) are hosting the information evening.

*Information Evening: VisualEYES the Risks: Managing Your Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy at 6.30pm, May 31 at the O'Callaghan Alexander Hotel, Dublin 2.