Diabetic retinopathy affects over onethird of all people with diabetes and is theleading cause of vision loss in working-ageadults. Globally the prevalence of diabetesis increasing rapidly and without effectiveaction, so too will the number of peoplewith diabetic retinopathy.
The management of diabetes and its complications begins in primary health care and this should include screening for diabetic retinopathy.
The International Diabetes Federation and The Fred Hollows Foundation have entered into a partnership to raise awareness of diabetic retinopathy. An outcome of the partnership has been to support a group of international experts to develop this Guide.
Those working in primary health care are at the frontline of supporting people with diabetes to understand how to look after their eyes,access eye health exams and to refer those requiring treatment.We look forward to working with partners to promote the use of the Guide and ultimately to ensure people with diabetes have access to eye health services.On behalf of our two organisations,we commend Diabetes eye health:A guide for health professionals.