In the lead up to World Diabetes Day on 14 November 2022, residents of Mount Gravatt are being encouraged to take action to prevent diabetes-related vision loss.
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Based on the Australian Diabetes Map, there are around 2,400 Mt Gravatt residents diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It’s estimated that around half are at risk of diabetes-related vision loss or blindness.
World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization, in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes.
It’s being observed every year on 14 November, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922.
Preventing Diabetes-Related Vision Loss
Experts recommend getting regular eye exams to help prevent vision problems. Bupa Optical, which has a location in Mt Gravatt, said regular eye tests can help detect early signs of diabetes or help detect emerging issues for those already living with the disease.
Bupa Optical Optometrist Karen Makin said symptoms often don’t emerge until the later stages of the condition when people suffer vision loss, experience giddiness or unexpected changes to their weight.
Ms Makin said conditions like diabetic retinopathy – a condition affecting the tiny blood vessels at the back of the eye inside the retina, often give no visual symptoms and can be undetected under normal conditions as changes to eyesight happen slowly over time.
They developed a technology called EyeInspect, an Artificial Intelligence enabled testing, which compares a patients eyes with a database of more than 10 million retinal images, with many different health conditions.
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“Technology such as EyeInspect was developed with the knowledge that the eye is a window into the heart and enables our team to provide people with more information about their general health which they can discuss with their doctor if and when recommended,” said Ms Makin.
Bupa Optical Mt Gravatt is located at Shop 1368 Westfield Garden City Cnr Logan & Kessels Rd, Upper Mt Gravatt.
