Too few diabetics are having eye exams

Fewer than half of those diagnosed with diabetes are receiving essential eye examinations, a new survey warned this week.

The finding flies in the face of the Government's target of screening 80 per cent of those with diabetes for retinopathy by the end of next year. Despite high profile coverage of the condition, many sufferers continue to risk blindness from the complications of retinopathy.

The Healthcare Commission report found that one in four people with diabetes have not had the problem diagnosed, leading campaigners to urge the Government to ensure people are identified before long-term difficulties take effect.

The survey, conducted by the Health and Social Care Information Centre on behalf of the National Diabetes Audit, is the largest such study of diabetes in Europe. It involved 250,000 patients from 2003-04, covering 1,700 GP practices and 47 hospital trusts.  

Analysis suggests that there are 1.8 million diabetics in England who have been diagnosed, but this amounts to around 75 per cent of all sufferers. The majority of male diabetics have had their condition diagnosed, but it is estimated that up to 45 per cent of female sufferers aged 40 and over are unaware they have the condition.

Healthcare Commission chief executive Anna Walker said it was important that patients and the public understood the benefits of treatment and follow-up care, as well as the risks of long-term complications that would result without diagnosis or treatment.

According to Diabetes UK: