DIABETIC patients in the city are urged to keep an eye on their sight and mark World Sight Day with a visit to the opticians.
Vision 2020, set up by the World Health Organisation is reminding people to look after their sight on World Sight Day on October 8. Vision problems can be a symptom of diabetes.
Almost six per cent of Leicester's population is currently registered as diabetic. This is equal to 17,979 people locally. NHS Leicester City predicts by 2010, more than 20,000 people will be living with the condition in the city.
Bernie Stribling, network manager for diabetes at NHS Leicester City, said: "Its vital people who have diabetes attend regular eye checks with their optician and in addition attend regular eye screening provided free of charge by the NHS Retinal Screening Service. This additional check monitors the blood vessels at the back if the eye and is used to detect early onset of blindness."
Signs and symptoms of sight loss due to diabetes can be picked up in a routine eye examination with an optician, so it's important people attend their appointments and have regular eye checks to prevent long term damage.
Bill Alker, spokesperson for RNIB in the East Midlands said: "Sight loss as the result of conditions linked to diabetes can have a devastating effect on some people's lives. Every day in the UK almost 100 people begin to lose their sight. Maintaining excellent diabetic control is paramount to preventing visual loss from diabetes."
Parminder Kaur, 70, who lives in East Leicester, said: "I have lived with diabetes for over 20 years and it has now got to the stage where my eyesight is poor and I can't go shopping on my own. I go for my yearly check up with my optician and need to wear glasses all the time but they don't make much difference. I have to rely on my family to help me with daily errands."
For more information on diabetes and sight loss, visit www.nhs.uk or www.rnib.org.uk . To find you nearest optician please call our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0116 295 7011