NCBI (National Council for the Blind of Ireland) has today urged the Government to stand by their commitment to establish diabetic retinopathy screening in the HSE West area by the end of next year.

A national diabetic screening programme was recommended by the Department of Health and Children in 2006 and a pilot programme for the West was approved in 2007, with a promise that the programme would be implemented during the third quarter of 2009. However, it has yet again been delayed – this time until the end of 2010.

According to leading ophthalmologist Prof Colm O’Brien, of the Mater Hospital, diabetic eye disease is on the increase and regular screening is the best way to prevent avoidable sight loss.

“According to the Health Status Report 2008, diabetes affects one in 20 Irish adults, with as many as half that number undiagnosed. While most people know that diabetes can cause serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and amputation, few people are aware that diabetes may also lead to blindness. Diabetes can affect the eye in a number of ways and usually involves the fine network of blood vessels in the retina, hence the term diabetic retinopathy. In most cases, sight loss from diabetic retinopathy can be prevented, but it is vital that the condition is diagnosed early so that it can be managed.”

In advance of World Diabetes Day on November 14th, NCBI Chief Executive Des Kenny urged the Minister for Health to consider the implications should screening be put on hold again.

“Lifestyle changes have meant a rise in the cases of diabetes and so a rise in the number of people experiencing diabetic retinopathy. More than 80 people with diabetic retinopathy were referred to NCBI’s services in 2008 alone, most of whom were aged between 18 and 65-years-of-age. I am therefore glad to see that the Government has finally committed to establishing diabetic retinopathy screening in the HSE West area by the end of 2010. This is not an issue that can be put on the back burner, as it has been a number of times already. However, I continue to worry for people living with diabetes in the rest of the country, as we have no commitment on when the scheme will be rolled out nationwide. It is estimated that a nationwide diabetic retinopathy screening programme would cost the state €4 million but the Minister also needs to consider the cost implications of failing to implement such a prevention plan.”

Regular eye checks are essential for people with diabetes as a person may realise there is a problem until they notice a change in their vision, at which point the damage may have already been done.

ENDS