Uncontrolled Diabetes Led to Sight Loss, Says Guernsey Man

Chris McDonnell, a 44-year-old resident of Guernsey, stated, “As a teenager I completely rebelled against my diabetes and didn’t take care of my diabetes.” He received a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes at the age of nine, and by his twenties, he began experiencing vision impairment in one eye. “I didn’t take the advice from the doctors as I should,” he added. Currently, he advises other individuals living with the condition to ensure they undergo routine eye screening examinations and adhere to medical recommendations. McDonnell reflected, “I was completely blind to the condition. It was my pancreas that wasn’t working but the reality is that diabetes can have so many complications like eye sight and loss of limbs.” He acknowledged his failure to adhere to medical guidance regarding the management of his blood sugar levels through insulin injections. He elaborated, “I was supposed to take four injections a day and I didn’t do that. I probably took two, so my blood sugar was probably skyrocketing. ” He recounted, “In my late 20s and early 30s I started seeing the signs of the complications of diabetes so amputations of my toes and then the loss of sight so it’s been quite impactful.” Routine eye screening is advised for individuals with diabetes due to their elevated susceptibility to developing diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can occasionally result in vision impairment. The National Health Service (NHS) states that diabetic retinopathy arises from elevated blood sugar levels causing damage to the retina, located at the back of the eye. If this condition remains undiagnosed and untreated, it possesses the potential to lead to blindness. McDonnell commented, “I had the feeling that it’s not going to be me, I’m not going to suffer complications. “But without getting those tests done, does mean you risk having problems in the future.” Stephen Watson, an optometrist, highlighted that “early detection and diagnosis of diabetic eye disease can reduce sight loss by up to 90%”. Optometrists capture images of the posterior part of the retina to ascertain the impact of diabetes on the eye. Their examination focuses on alterations within the eye’s blood vessels, such as obstructions or exudation. Given that diabetic retinopathy typically presents no symptoms in its initial phases, it can progress significantly before an individual becomes aware of it. Dianne Mathews, who serves as the strategic lead for screening at Public Health in Guernsey, observed that “not as many people with diabetes are taking up the opportunity for screening as there could be”. The government of Guernsey subsidizes the expenses for diabetic eye examinations, which are distinct from standard vision test appointments. Mrs Mathews stated, “Not everyone is aware that diabetes can affect the eyes and the screening is a really important part of diabetes management, so we’re really pleased to be able to offer the eye screening yearly.” For updates, follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Story submissions can be sent to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.