Warminster Diabetes UK support group

MEMBERS were treated to a talk about eye health at their October meeting, when Magda Everett, who is the lead optician at Specsavers in Warminster and Frome, spoke about how diabetes can affect sight, how diabetes screening works and the importance of regular sight tests as part of a general health check-up.

"This visit gave us a great opportunity to talk to the group about how diabetes can affect vision and how regular eye examinations can detect issues linked with the condition," Magda commented. "There are more than three million diabetes sufferers in the UK alone and approximately 30 per cent of diabetics will develop some sort of diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness.

"If detected early, diabetic retinopathy can be prevented in many cases, so we can’t stress enough how important is to stay on top of your eye health."

The talk finished with a Q&A session before goody bags were handed out to everyone who attended, including products from Scope Opthalmics.

Lynne Merrett, chairman of the group, added: ‘It was a real pleasure to receive a visit from Magda. Her talk was a real eye opener (excuse the pun) and very informative. Our group allows those with diabetes in the local area to get together and offer support and advice, and we often welcome speakers to come and share key information such as this. Thank you again to Magda and Specsavers.’

Diabetes UK is UK charity that funds research and offers support to people suffering with diabetes. To find out more, go to www.diabetes.org.uk/.