July 2002

New website looks at diabetic eye disease

An Australian-based website is providing community and health professionals with a new insight into diabetic eye disease.

The www.eyesondiabetes.org.au site, developed by the Eyes on Diabetes Forum, is designed for people with diabetes and their carers, as well as health professionals and the wider community.

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease caused by complications of diabetes and is a common cause of vision loss in working-age Australians.

Vision loss and potential blindness can be prevented if diabetic retinopathy is detected and treated early.

People with diabetes should have their eyes checked as soon as they know they have diabetes and at least every two years after that.

The website aims to:

• Help people understand diabetic retinopathy and its effects;

• Educate and inform people about the risks and symptoms of diabetic retinopathy;

• Provide a useful and accessible reference and referral point;

• Offer useful advice about the prevention and management of diabetic retinopathy;

• Help people with diabetes pursue quality of life.

The Eyes on Diabetes Forum, which established the site, is a collaboration of key diabetes and eye care providers including the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, the Centre for Eye Research Australia, Diabetes Australia, Australian Diabetes Society, International Diabetes Institute, Optometrists Association Australia and the Victorian College of Optometry.

The website uses, and explains, the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Guidelines for Web accessibility, making it a highly accessible site for all, including people with vision impairment and other disabilities.