World Diabetes Day

Diabetic retinopathy, a diabetes complication that affects the eyes, affects an estimated one-third of people with diabetes and is the leading cause of blindness and vision loss in adults between 35-50. By 2040, an estimated 642 million people will be living with diabetes. Of that, an estimated 224 million will suffer from some form of diabetic retinopathy.

• Developing infrastructure: In high risk countries such as Guyana, Peru, China, Bangladesh and Vietnam for example, we're building the infrastructure needed for early detection of diabetic retinopathy and integrate eye screenings into the overall care for people living with diabetes.

• Working with partners: We’re teaming up with governments, NGO’s and key health partners in high risk countries to establish and strengthen existing eye care for people affected by diabetes and vision loss.

• Training and innovation: We're looking at ways to improve diabetic retinopathy screenings and early detection by training non-medical staff in regions where diabetes is prevalent.

• Working with communities: At community level, we're improving awareness about diabetes and the risk of blindness by training and educating people - increasing the demand for quality eye care.

• Supporting a global strategy: Together with leading non-government agencies across the diabetes and eye care sectors, we've helped create a global diabetic retinopathy strategy and are spearheading best-practice approaches taken to curb this rising epidemic.