Diabetes a ‘ticking time bomb’ says Highlands MSP Stewart

NHS HIGHLAND has the second highest percentage of people in Scotland who have not undergone vital retinopathy screening for people with diabetes.

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart, co-convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s cross party group on diabetes, pointed out the ‘postcode lottery’ that exists for retinopathy screening during a parliamentary debate last week.

He told MSPs NHS Highland’s area percentage of people who have not been screened was 20.7 per cent, with only Lanarkshire higher at 21.2 per cent. ‘The difference in provision across Scotland needs to be addressed,’ said Mr Stewart.

The members’ business debate was held during Diabetes Scotland and RNIB Scotland’s campaign to mark National Eye Health Week and highlighted the threat to vision posed by diabetic retinopathy for people with all types of diabetes.

Diabetic retinopathy affects blood vessels in the light-sensitive tissue called the retina that lines the back of the eye. It is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes and the leading cause of vision impairment and blindness among working-age adults.

‘Diabetes is a ticking time bomb and the fastest growing health crisis of our time, affecting more people than any other serious health condition in Scotland,’ said Mr Stewart