London MEP eyes up Diabetes progress

6.04.19pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 22nd Jun 2005

Sarah Ludford MEP tries a special pair of glasses which simulate the effects of retinopathy

London MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford continued her efforts to improve life for diabetics in the UK and Europe by attending the Diabetes UK parliamentary reception at Westminster as a part of Diabetes Week. Baroness Ludford, who has a family member who is insulin-dependent, is also taking initiatives in the European Parliament.

She tried on a special pair of glasses to experience what it is like to have diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness in the UK. This occurs when diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels inside the retina.

She said: "People with diabetes are needlessly going blind, simply because they aren't being offered adequate screening for retinopathy. The glasses I tried gave me a taste of what it is like to live with the condition but of course I was then able to remove them. People with diabetes who have eye problems have no such luxury."

"Diabetes care is patchy across the country. I want to know what progress is being made on screening in London and am asking Primary Care Trusts what efforts they are making to reduce blindness in people with diabetes by this means."

"Inadequate efforts to ensure people with diabetes are getting the care they deserve compounds the discrimination they may suffer in the workplace and elsewhere. Diabetics are entitled to be able to live a normal life."

Sarah Ludford is a member of the European Parliament diabetes working group and has campaigned against job bans and other discrimination at work, and has progressed new European laws greatly easing the driving licence rules for diabetics, including lifting the virtual ban on HGV licences for those dependent on insulin.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Diabetes UK is the charity for people with diabetes. It funds medical research, provides information and support to people with diabetes and campaigns on their behalf. In addition to the 1.8 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK, it is believed that there are 1 million people who have the condition but are unaware of it.

The aim of the parliamentary event was to raise awareness of retinopathy as part of the Diabetes UK 'Action today, health tomorrow' campaign; although a serious condition, blindness can be prevented in 90 per cent of cases if treatment is applied early and adequately. The government has set a screening target that by 2006 a minimum of 80 per cent of people with diabetes are to be offered screening for the early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy, rising to 100 per cent by the end of 2007.