Keeping it all in focus-the eyes have it

Regular physical activity and healthy eating are recognised lifestyle factors which contribute to good blood glucose control in people with diabetes; important for helping to maintain good vision. Many people are unaware of the serious damage that long term elevated blood glucose levels can cause to their eyes. Diabetes related eye damage is common and if untreated can result in poor vision and blindness. Many people with diabetes do not notice changes in their vision until the condition is very serious. In fact, on occasion optometrists and ophthalmologists are the first to pick up type two diabetes in a patient, by seeing changes in the patient’s retina.  These finding needs to be confirmed by further tests, which are usually performed by the patient’s General Practitioner. It is important to reduce the risk of diabetes related eye disease by having good blood glucose control, good blood pressure control, and good cholesterol control.

98% of serious vision loss from diabetes can be prevented with regular eye examinations which can detect any developing problems and provide the best chance for treatment. All people with diabetes should have their eyes examined at diagnosis and at least every 2 years, or more often if problems are noted by the person or a health professional.

Vision impairment can significantly affect people’s everyday lives such as how they use public transport and the physical activity options they might undertake such as walking, and cycling. Low Vision has been linked to increases in depression in our community. It also has a significant economic impact and reduces the ability for individuals to remain independent

The Vision Initiative is a coordinated public health program aimed at raising awareness of the importance of eye health and vision care among health and other professional sectors and the general community in Victoria.

The Vision Initiative is a public health program managed by Vision 2020 Australia and funded by the Victorian Department of Human Services. It aims to prevent avoidable blindness and reduce the impact of vision impairment for all Victorians through public and professional awareness.

The Save Your Sight message of The Vision Initiative is early intervention:

Get Tested. Visit your optometrist or ophthalmologist or speak to your doctor.

The Vision Initiative brings together a wide range of organisations involved in eye health and vision care in Victoria, including Diabetes Australia – Victoria.  Vision 2020 Australia is working with Diabetes Australia-Victoria to produce a Diabetes Australia information sheet called Diabetes and your eyes which will be available soon. The Vision Initiative runs professional and public education and awareness programs for pharmacists, practice nurses and now with primary and community health works through collaboration with Primary Care Partnerships. 

For more information please contact:

Robyn Wallace
Coordinator, Professional Education
Vision 2020 Australia

Phone:		03 9656 2020
Email:		rwallace@vision2020australia.org.au
Website:		www.vision2020australia.org.au
		www.saveyoursight.org.au

This article appeared in the Victorian Department of Human Services Health Promotion Strategies Bulletin, October 2007 http://www.health.vic.gov.au/healthpromotion/downloads/vol7iss4.pdf

^1. Monash University Accident research Centre (2006) The Elderly and Mobility: A Review of the Literature, Report No. 255, Melbourne.

Archived news

•	The Vision Initiative Planning Workshop 25 February 2008
•	11-16 March 2008 is Save Your Sight Week in Wangaratta
•	Keeping it all in focus-the eyes have it
•	Smoking can cause blindness
•	Media Coverage Archive
•	Vision 2020 Australia launched a five week ‘Save Your Sight’ campaign which ran from 10th February to 26th March, 2005.
•	Advertising and other featured pieces that appeared across metro and regional TV, radio and print.
•	The Vision 2020 Australia ‘Save Your Sight’ campaign is a five week campaign commencing on Sunday 20th February, 2005.