It is vital that people suffering from diabetes undergo regular eye exams in order to decrease their chances of developing diseases related to the condition, one expert has advised.

Simon O'Neill, director of care, information and advocacy at Diabetes UK, said that the complications from diabetes, such as retinopathy and diabetic macular odema (DMO), can severely disrupt people's lives.

He explained: "It is important that people with diabetes undergo annual eye tests, including a retinal photograph, and have a greater awareness of their eye health, so that they can immediately respond to any changes in their vision."

Mr O'Neill pointed out that, if DMO is left untreated, there is a 30 per cent risk of people developing "clinically significant" macular oedema, possibly leading to complete vision loss.

His comments follow an announcement that, for the first time in 25 years, a treatment for DMO has been licensed in the UK, which may offer hope for those suffering from one of the leading causes of visual impairment in the country.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals' LucentisZ (ranibizumab) has been designed to help reduce or manage the effects of DMO. 

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