Moorfields Diabetes Day aims to help reduce risk of going blind

A Diabetes Day to help people reduce the risk of developing diabetes and the danger of going blind is being organised by Moorfields Eye Hospital.

It aims to promote understanding of treatments and what action can be taken by anyone at risk.

Diabetic Retinopathy is the most common cause of blindness among people of working age and one of the biggest causes of blindness in the young, Moorfields NHS Foundation Trust points out.

It can damage to the retina, a complication that can affect the ‘seeing’ part at the back of the eye.

Every year 4,200 people are at risk of blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy, it is estimated, with nearly 1,300 new cases of blindness recorded.

Moorfields’ Diabetes Eye Day on November 17 aims to bring diabetics together with experts to learn about research and treatment as well as how to avoid the risk of getting diabetes.