France: diabetics invited to have eye examination

On July 6, the French Director General for health, Didier Houssin, officially launched a campaign for the prevention of diabetes-linked complications and specifically those affecting the eyes and lower limbs.

There are more than 2 million diabetics in France and the number continues to grow by about 3% every year. Fewer than 1 in 2 diabetics have their eyes examined every year; this is necessary for early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy which could lead to blindness. Foot lesions are identified in time only in 20% of diabetics and it is estimated that about 16 thousand amputations a year are due to diabetes complications.

With regard to sight complication, the campaign provides for an examination of the back area of the eye by photographing the retina. This can be carried out by an optometrist who then sends the results to a coordination center for analysis.

Posters and notices in pharmacies and at health centers invite diabetics to have their feet and eyes examined once a year.