Vision loss resulting from Diabetes is growing rapidly and is now the leading cause of preventable blindness in working age people in Australia.

Almost 1.1 million Australians have diagnosed (known) diabetes.

Of these, over 300,000 have some degree of diabetic retinopathy and about 65,000 have progressed to sight-threatening eye disease.

Most people with diabetic retinopathy should keep most, if not all vision, providing it is diagnosed early and all steps are taken to keep it under control.

The Macular Disease Foundation Australia (www.mdfoundation.com.au or call 1 800 111 709) can provide detailed information on risk factors, prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment.

Here at Quantum we have been working in partnership with Macular Disease Foundation Australia and Diabetes NSW & ACT to ensure that people with Diabetic Retinopathy have access to the latest vision aids. At our recent OrCam launch event in Canberra, Ian Peters from Diabetes NSW & ACT presented the following important messages;

• Type 2 diabetes is the single biggest challenge confronting Australia’s health system. Currently 1 in 4 Australians over the age of 25 is living with diabetes or pre diabetes and a further half million are living with undiagnosed type 2 because many of the signs and symptoms are often missed or confused with ageing.
• It’s important we do a better job of detecting the condition earlier to avoid people developing serious complications with their eyes.
• The earlier a diagnosis is made the sooner a management plan can be put in place. Because with regular eye checks and early treatment serious vision loss can be prevented.

Ian Peters, General Manager, Diabetes ACT

If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor and eyecare specialist.

Phone: 02 6232 3800

Fax: 02 6230 1535

Email: admin@diabetesaustralia.com.au