World Diabetes Day: Eyes On Diabetes

This year's theme for World Diabetes Day is 'Eyes on Diabetes', as suggested by the International Diabetes Federation, whom I have had the pleasure of working with to promote diabetes awareness with and to advocate alongside for the awareness and rights of people with diabetes since 2013. So I have seen firsthand IDF and its members work tirelessly to put diabetes on, not just the European, but the global agenda for health.

The theme of Eyes on Diabetes this year is not just a theme for the day, but one that will inspire the focus for the year's activities and materials for the year to come. With particular importance put on the vital act of screening to ensure early diagnosis for people with type 2 diabetes and treatment to reduce the risk of serious complications.

IDF suggests, that in 2015 type 2 diabetes affected 400 millions adults and was the devastating cause of 5 million deaths, it is a serious condition. It is also suggested that up to 70% of cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by adopting healthier lifestyles (IDF, 2016).

If you'd like to get involved in the WDD campaign, IDF ask that you 'Test, Share and Show' to help raise awareness of type 2 diabetes this World Diabetes Day.

Know Your Risk Factors and 'Test' for T2D

If Organising a Screening Activity, Submit it to the Online Events Map and Record the Number of People You Screen

Use the Blue Circle App to Share Screening Activities*

I also believe that the message of Eyes on Diabetes is applicable to type 1 diabetes. The first is in terms of diagnosis and awareness, which links in with Beyond Type 1's World Diabetes Day campaign which aims to raise awareness of DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) a potentially life threatening condition that can be a complication at type 1 diagnosis and beyond.

Secondly, eye care is so important for people with diabetes, especially type 1s. I posted online recently that I'd been for my retinopathy screening, which is an eye check that involves pictures being taken of the back of the eyes to check for background changes caused by the diabetes. The aim of checking is to hopefully catch problems early before they become too serious.

Post- Retinopathy Check