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Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the working population of the UK. Worldwide the number of diabetics is estimated to double from 171 million in 2000 to 366 million in 2030 and 75% of patients who have had diabetes for more than 20 years will have some form of diabetic retinopathy. There is very little published literature on the visual status, vision disability and rehabilitation of this growing patient group. This research will look to quantify the effects of diabetic eye disease on people’s visual performance in order to assist in patient counselling and rehabilitation. It will be the first comprehensive evaluation of the visual impairment experienced by people with diabetic eye disease. It will for the first time identify who is most likely to benefit from low vision rehabilitation.
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Fight for Sight is the largest charity in the UK dedicated to funding world-class research into the prevention and treatment of blindness and eye disease. In 2007/08 the charity committed £2.5million to new research projects. The charity funds research teams based at UK universities and hospitals and undertaking research either in the UK or overseas. The charity is a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities and research projects are chosen only after extensive international peer review. This research project is being conducted by Miss Hannah Dunbar, a Clinical Fellow at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology in conjunction with Moorfields Eye Hospital. The project has been chosen because of the growing demand for rehabilitation services for those with diabetic eye disease. The project proposal has undergone an extensive international peer review process to ensure that it has been well designed and is not being duplicated elsewhere. It is intended that 100 patients with diabetic eye disease will be recruited from clinics at Moorfields Eye Hospital. These patients will be split into groups and will undergo a range of tests to identify the true nature of the visual impairment caused by diabetes. An assessment will be made on how these people are being referred for Low Vision Services. As necessary, national referral criteria will be updated to ensure that people receive intervention from rehabilitation and low vision services at the most appropriate time. The cost of the project is £178,000 over three years.