Today is World Diabetes Day! This year’s theme is “Eye on Diabetes” and the International Diabetes Federation is highlighting “the urgent need to screen, diagnose and provide appropriate treatment to people with diabetes.”
Diabetes affects millions of people around the world – nearly one in two of the 415 million adults affected by diabetes are unaware that they suffer from the condition. As a result of undiagnosed diabetes, people can develop diabetes-related complications, like diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness if left untreated.
Diabetes can have harmful and costly effects on the body, which is why it’s important to know about the condition’s causes and impact. The Alliance has resources available for further education about diabetes – including The Silver Book®: Diabetes and an accompanying fact sheet. The Silver Book®: Diabetic Retinopathy is also available to learn more about diabetes-related vision complications.