A leading ophthalmologist and medical retina specialist is calling for New Zealanders with diabetes to have regular eye
checks to reduce the risk of living with blindness.
Diabetes is the leading cause of preventable blindness in New Zealand. According to consultant ophthalmologist at
Auckland Eye, Dr Alison Pereira, less than 50 percent of Kiwis with diabetes are getting regular eye tests.
“This is a major public health issue,” says Dr Pereira. “Regular diabetes eye checks prevent blindness. It’s as simple
as that. Often there are no symptoms, and it’s not uncommon for people to lose vision over a few weeks and occasionally
lose sight in one eye overnight. Regular eye checks play a vital part in saving people with diabetes sight and
independence.”
A new eye health survey carried out by Diabetes New Zealand has revealed the extent of the issue with 86 percent of
people with diabetes having experienced one or more issues with their vision, and 20 percent of respondents saying they
have long-term impaired vision.
The survey also found that a lack of awareness of the need for regular testing, long waiting lists with cost and access
the main barriers to getting regular diabetes eye checks.
The call for more diabetic eye checks comes as part of Diabetes Action Month, run by Diabetes New Zealand throughout
November. The theme of this year’s campaign is ‘Eyes on Diabetes’.
Dr Pereira says that diabetic retinopathy is the most common eye condition for people living with diabetes. This
condition occurs when high blood sugar levels over time cause damage to blood vessels in the eye.
“Fortunately, diabetic retinopathy can be detected, and early intervention can prevent or reduce vision loss. Not only
can screening identify eye issues for people with diabetes, it can also help those with deteriorating vision to review
their overall diabetes management,” says Dr Pereira.
“Diabetes is now developing in younger age groups, with many people likely to be living with diabetes and its
complications for many more years than a generation ago. It is likely that for the number of people living with
diabetes, vision loss will increase dramatically without a comprehensive and properly funded national diabetic retinal
screening programme.”
Diabetes New Zealand chief executive Heather Verry says that this Diabetes Action Month is about advocating for people
with diabetes to look after their eyes, and that includes calling for improvements to the free nationwide Diabetic
Retinal Eye Screening Programme.
“We need a more systematic approach to our national screening programme to help ensure every New Zealander that needs a
diabetes eye check has fair and easy access to free testing, no matter where they live.
“People are falling through the gaps with inconsistent care across geographic regions, a lack of recall reminders and
issues with medical professionals receiving and accessing results.
“We welcome the opportunity to work with Te Whatu Ora to build a more effective national retinal screening programme for
the more than 300,000 New Zealanders that need it.”
Diabetes is the country’s fastest growing health crisis, with the number of people living with diabetes expected to
increase from the current 307,400 to as many as 430,000 by 2040.
“Every single one of these people is at risk of going blind, so we are urging the diabetes community to get regular eye
checks and look after their sight. The best way for people to do this is to get a referral to their local screening
service from their GP or visit their local eye specialist,” says Ms Verry.
To learn more about diabetes, Diabetes Action Month and diabetes eye health, visit diabetesactionmonth.org.nz.