Early detection of diabetes and related eye disease reduces the risk of vision loss in up to 90% cases

Dr Canning said that eye disease in both type 1 and type 2 Diabetes patients can lead to total vision loss, however, this can be prevented in 90% of cases if Diabetes and retinopathy are diagnosed early.

More than 19.5% of the UAE population is said to be living with Diabetes.

"Diabetic retinopathy is a relatively common complication in individuals with Diabetes, although very often the patient will be unaware of the risks, hence regular checkups with an eye specialist are essential," he said while speaking at a special media briefing at ICLDC.

Dr Canning said that retinopathy affects more than 2.5 million people worldwide and is found to be prevalent in 21% of type 2 Diabetes patients and almost everyone with type 1 Diabetes.

"In a nutshell, anyone living with Diabetes is at risk of developing some degree of impairment to vision," he said.

Dr Canning advised that risk of vision loss can be minimised by maintaining blood glucose levels and blood pressure within the normal range.

He warned that there are very few symptoms during the early stages of Diabetic retinopathy and that vision may not change until the disease has advanced.

Meanwhile, Dr Maha Taysir Barakat, Consultant Endocrinologist and Medical & Research Director at ICLDC also stressed the benefits of early detection: "People living with Diabetes can reduce their risk for complications, such as retinopathy.

"We believe that education is crucial and ICLDC is committed to driving public health awareness on the treatment and prevention of Diabetes and its complications," she stressed.

Dr Maha said that the early detection of pre-Diabetes can lead to the prevention of full blown Diabetes, and so greatly reduce the risk of related complications, such as blindness.