Danny, aged 35, tells how he lost his sight from diabetic eye disease in this powerful film highlighting the importance of annual eye checks.
Danny is 35 and is a patient of Guy’s and St Thomas’ who has Type 1 diabetes.
Unfortunately he has lost his sight from diabetic eye disease which could have been avoided. Like other young men and women with diabetes, he did not think he was at risk and ignored the appointment letters which invited him to attend for diabetic eye screening. His sight gradually deteriorated and despite being admitted to hospital and visiting other clinics, he never had his eyes checked. When he was finally reviewed his diabetic eye changes were too advanced to treat.
Danny has helped Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital to make this short but powerful two-minute film about his story in the hope that it will prevent others like him from losing their sight. Danny plays himself in the film.
Diabetic Eye Disease is the second commonest cause of sight loss in the working age population. Within 20 years of diagnosis nearly all people with Type 1 and almost two thirds of people with Type 2 diabetes (60 per cent) have some degree of retinopathy (Scanlon 2008), often with no symptoms.
Due to advances in medicines and lasers, most diabetic eye complications can be treated if caught early enough and blindness can be prevented in 90% of cases.
There is a national diabetic eye screening programme in place to offer everyone with diabetes screening annually to pick up changes early and allow referral to the local eye clinic for monitoring and treatment. If you know anyone that is diabetic that has not had their eyes checked within the past year, please encourage them to attend their regular screening checks.
