#PODCAST Ophthalmological Society of South Africa discuss the seriousness of the diabetic retinopathy eye condition #sabcnews

By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - Health experts are warning people living with diabetes to NOT turn a blind eye to the serious consequences of the non-communicable disease. One of which is diabetic retinopathy - an eye condition that can cause vision loss and blindness in people who have diabetes. It affects blood vessels in the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of the eye. It is the fourth leading cause of blindness and the most common cause of visual loss for the working population in the country. According to the Ophthalmological Society of South Africa (OSSA) an estimated third of people with diabetes will develop diabetic retinopathy, yet less than 20 percent of patients undergo yearly screening. Dr Anesu Madikane, Executive Committee member of OSSA says early detection, improved access to treatment and enhanced patient education are key to addressing retinopathy.....