More young diabetics in Wales need sight-saving action
09.02.10
Its thought that poor management of the condition, ignoring advice on diet and lifestyle, are the main reasons for the rise. Often young people don't acknowledge the symptoms until the problems effect both eyes.
Laura Mundell, 29, from Caerleon, Newport, needs surgery on both eyes, having developed retinopathy as a result of her diabetes.
"I haemorrhaged quite badly in one eye and it was complete blackness - complete lack of vision," said Ms Mundell.
"Its horrendous - its the small things that you can't do any more like watching television, reading a magazine or even feeding my son and trying to find his mouth with a spoon - you can't do any of those things."
The Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Service for Wales said they have also seen a worrying rise in children developing problems.
"We are seeing probably a doubling in the number of younger persons diagnosed with diabetes," said the service's director Rosemarie Keigwin-Harris.
Source: BBC News