Diabetes Awareness Week - Press Release

(14 Nov 2016)

How would you be affected if you lost your sight? A simple screening examination for Diabetics can detect any changes in the eye before it is too late.

Diabetes Awareness Week commences on Monday 14th November and as part of this campaign, anyone living with diabetes in Ireland is being reminded to ensure they are registered for free retinal screening with Diabetic RetinaScreen - The National Diabetic Retinal Screening Programme. The programme which is Government-funded, offers free, regular screening and treatment of diabetic retinopathy, a common complication of diabetes, to people with diabetes aged 12 and over. The theme for World Diabetes Day 2016, which takes place on the first day of Diabetes Awareness Week, is ‘Eyes on Diabetes’, and during this campaign, Diabetic RetinaScreen is highlighting the availability of this important service to all diabetics in Ireland and aims to raise awareness of the effects of diabetic retinopathy for those whose condition develops undetected.

The objective of Diabetic RetinaScreen is to reduce the risk of sight loss from diabetic retinopathy. At present, it is estimated that there are approx. 200,000 people living with diabetes in Ireland and 10% of those are at risk of sight threatening retinopathy.  To date, Diabetic RetinaScreen has invited over 160,000 people with diabetes to attend free screening (using specialised digital photography) at a local screening centre. Information is available at www.diabeticretinascreen.ie. If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and are aged 12 or over, find out if you are on the register at Freephone 1800 45 45 55. If you are on the register, you will be invited by letter to attend a free screening at a local screening centre.  

Programme Manager for Diabetic RetinaScreen, Ms Colette Murphy, urged people with diabetes aged 12 and over to connect with the programme. She said “Make time on Diabetes Awareness Week to check that you are registered with the Diabetic RetinaScreen Programme.  If you have yet to take part in the programme register today by contacting the Freephone 1800 45 45 55 or if you have received an invitation please avail of this important free, regular screening”.

All people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy may not have any symptoms and may not affect the sight until the condition is at an advanced stage. Regular eye screening, using specialised digital photography, can detect the condition at an early stage, before any noticeable symptoms or changes in sight. Any recommended follow-up investigation or treatment of diabetic retinopathy will be fully quality assured and provided free of charge as part of the programme.

Screening results will be provided within three weeks. A freephone information line (1800 45 45 55) is available Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 6:00pm. Further information can be found at www.diabeticretinascreen.ie.

Diabetic RetinaScreen is part of the HSE’s National Screening Service.

-Ends-

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Diabetic RetinaScreen
Is cuid den tSeirbhís Náisiúnta Scagthástála é Diabetic RetinaScreen Diabetic Retina Screen is part of the National Screening Service
Saorghlao 1800 45 45 55 Freephone 1800 45 45 55

Is cuid den Rannóg Sláinte agus Folláine i bhFeidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte í an tSeirbhís Náisiúnta Scagthástála. Cuimsíonn sí BreastCheck – An Clár Náisiúnta Scagthástála Cíoch, CervicalCheck – An Clár Náisiúnta Scagthástála Ceirbheacs, BowelScreen – An Clár Náisiúnta Scagthástála Putóige agus Diabetic RetinaScreen – An Clár Náisiúnta Scagthástála Reitiní do Dhiaibéitigh.

The National Screening Service is part of the Health and Wellbeing Division of the Health Service Executive in Ireland. It encompasses BreastCheck – The National Breast Screening Programme, CervicalCheck – The National Cervical Screening Programme, BowelScreen – The National Bowel Screening Programme and Diabetic RetinaScreen – The National Diabetic Retinal Screening Programme.

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