Newcastle fights back against Diabetic Retinopathy


With diabetes being the leading cause of blindness across the whole of the UK there have been many attempts over the years to increase peoples awareness to the disease and its devastating effects on our eyes. Diabetes UK have tirelessly campaigned to raise awareness of diabetes and the importance of eye tests, not just for those suffering from diabetes but anyone without as the disease can be detected through an eye examination. However, it appears that some of their hard work has begun to pay off in Newcastle as diabetic retinopathy takes a step back and becomes the second most common leading cause of blindness.

The hard work and dedication from Diabetes UK began in 1986 with Professor Roy Taylor funding and leading continual studies. In 1986 Professor Taylor began to tread the water into how to reach out to hundreds of people and screen them for the disease. His idea was ingenious. The camera that would test the patient’s eyes was situated in a second-hand ambulance which was then driven in and around Newcastle to various diabetes clinics. For ten years his hard work continued and 1996 brought an almost fully inclusive cover of the Newcastle area, which has continued since. Hence, the recent study conducted by Professor Taylor which has revealed that from the years 2001-2005 diabetic retinopathy was no longer the leading cause of blindness in Newcastle.

These results show how the dedication of one man and his team who have properly implemented a scheme has reached out to thousands and achieved staggering results. The Care Advisor of Diabetes UK, Libby Dowling, offers statistics that show that 90% of cases of diabetic retinopathy can be prevented from developing into blindness if detected at one of these screenings. She also hopes that Professor Taylor’s success story will lead to screenings for diabetics to be available on a yearly basis.

20th January 2010

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