Diabetic Retinopathy in 30% of Italian Patients
At a meeting during the XI National Conference of the AMD Foundation held in Rome, Graziano Di Cianni, president of the Association of Diabetic Doctors in Italy (ADDI) raised concerns that 30 percent of patients with diabetes are also affected by diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye disease. It is one of the main causes of blindness in the Western world, a disabling and subtle complication because diabetic retinopathy does not cause early symptoms.
CAPTION: ● Credit: mybestguide.com
All patients with diabetes are susceptible to diabetic retinopathy and prevention is essential to avoid its serious complications. Graziano proposed screening blood sugar levels at least every 2 years.
“If those with diabetes are regularly screened as prescribed by all guidelines, the incidence of this disease would collapse because it is possible to intervene when the first lesions appear” ADDI President Graziano Di Cianni said.
Advocacy Action: Can you ask for the figures from your Health Department? Can you advocate for a screening programme if you don’t have one? There is evidence that can help make the case showing the costs of poor or no sight complications against the cost of a regular screening programme.