Practitioners can help halt diabetes rise

Optometrists are well placed to advise patients about the prevention of diabetes amid soaring cases in the UK.

The number of people living with diabetes in the UK has soared by 59.8 per cent in a decade, according to a new analysis by Diabetes UK released this week.

Dr Susan Blakeney, clinical adviser at the College of Optometrists, said: ‘Diabetes is a serious disease that has lifelong consequences.

‘As part of the primary care team, optometrists already advise patients on the links between smoking and eye health. They are well placed to advise patients with diabetes, or those who are at risk of diabetes, of healthy lifestyle choices they can make.’