Diabetes Action Month
Running right through November, Diabetes Action Month 2023 has the theme Eyes on Diabetes. Diabetes Action Month is Diabetes NZ’s annual public health and awareness campaign that aims to encourage all Kiwis to take action for diabetes.
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iabetes is the leading cause of preventable blindness in Aotearoa New Zealand, and everyone living with diabetes is at risk of losing their vision. The good news is there are steps we can take to lower our risk of eye damage, including having regular eye checks. Eye problems cause less damage when detected and treated early. Diabetes NZ CEO Heather Verry says this Diabetes Action Month is all about educating New Zealanders with diabetes on how to look after their eyes, to prevent losing their sight. ‘Poor vision can have a huge impact on your quality of life, including your physical and mental wellbeing. When you’re living with diabetes, so much of your life relies on your sight. This includes checking your blood glucose levels, changing a pump site, and injecting insulin. So looking after your eyes can not only save your vision but your life,’ says Verry. This Diabetes Action Month, Diabetes NZ is urging Kiwis to
get their eyes checked to avoid preventable blindness. Throughout November, we will join with our local teams, sponsors, supporters, and eye health experts. We will be educating New Zealanders with diabetes, and their whānau, on the importance of regular eye checks and self-care to reduce the number of people developing diabetes-related eye problems. Of course, we will continue to raise awareness and encourage prevention through healthy lifestyle choices. There will be a number of Diabetes NZ initiatives taking place during November, including the launch of a new diabetes eye health resource and educational video, Facebook Live sessions, local events, and the return of Sneaker Friday. Check out the Diabetes NZ Facebook page and www. diabetesactionmonth.org.nz for updates. WHEN WAS YOUR LAST DIABETES EYE CHECK?
We’re calling on New Zealanders who are living with diabetes to get their eyes checked. There may be no symptoms in the early stages of eye problems such as diabetic retinopathy, making it even more important to have regular eye checks so it can be detected and treated early. Eye tests are free! Your doctor can refer you to your local Diabetes Retinal Screening Programme.
People with type 2 should have their first screening as soon as they are diagnosed, and people with type 1 should have their first screening done five years after diagnosis. DIABETES EYE HEALTH RESOURCE
This November, Diabetes NZ is launching a new eye health resource for people living with diabetes to better understand eye health. You will find tips and tricks for looking after your eyes and the symptoms of eye disease to look out for. We hope this resource will help educate people about the impact diabetes can have on your eyesight and reduce rates of preventable blindness. This resource will be available on our website during DAM.
DIABETES WELLNESS | Summer 2023
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