Diabetes sight screening still lacking in the UK

According to leading UK diabetes charity Diabetes UK, as many as 750,000 people in the UK could be risking blindness because they are not being screened for diabetic neuropathy .
Diabetic neuropathy is one of the complications relating to diabetes, and it is the most common cause of blindness amongst working age people in the UK. Diabetes UK have made it clear that anyone over the age of 12 who is a diagnosed diabetics should get free retinal screening every year.
The Director of Care, Information and Advocacy at Diabetes UK, Simon O’Neill, was reported as commenting: “It is appalling that a third of people with diabetes in England are not getting free digital retinal screening every year. If retinopathy is caught early and treated properly then blindness can be prevented in 90% of cases, so the simple screening process really could save the sight of hundreds of thousands of people. Retinal screening services in England are patchy. PCTs need to ensure they are reaching out to all eligible people to invite them for screening, and in turn people with diabetes must make every effort to get to these vital appointments. If they have problems attending they can talk to their healthcare team about what help and support is available.”