Wales Council of the Blind

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Diabetes Week 2024: 10th to 16th June

Diabetes Week (10th-16th June) is the event which raises awareness of the condition, which can lead to sight loss. This year, Diabetes UK is highlighting how important it is for people to get all their diabetes health checks, including diabetic eye checks.

Diabetes can affect your eyes in many ways. Some people with the condition can develop diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to sight loss. They are also at a higher risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma. You can find out more about diabetes and the eye on the Diabetes UK website.

Early detection is the key to successful treatment, so if you have diabetes it is important to attend regular screening appointments, carried out by Diabetic Eye Screening Wales (DESW). This is an all Wales Service designed to detect diabetic retinopathy at an early stage before visual loss occurs, thereby ensuring early treatment and preventing loss of vision in 70-90% of people affected.

To find out more about Diabetes Week 2024, click here, and for information about the the support offered by Diabetes UK in Wales, visit their website.