World Diabetes Day 2018

Diabetes is a condition that impairs the body's ability to process blood glucose, otherwise known as blood sugar. In Singapore, the estimated number as a nation, 1 in 9 Singaporeans has diabetes. Singaporeans above the age of 60, 3 in 10 Singaporeans elderly have diabetes. This is a serious health concern raised by our Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during his National Rally in 2017. 

Also in the recent discussion by Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, this is a war cannot be won alone. It is strongly encouraged everyone to come together to fight this diabetes war together. That is why in Singapore, the food and beverage sector has been switched to healthier ingredients such as brown rice. Fitness corners were also placed across neighborhood estates and more water dispensers were being installed at hawker centres to encourage Singaporeans to drink plain water. 

As much as this is a national issue, World Health Organization has also declared in order to fight diabetes, the only way is: "Prevention, Prevention and Prevention". 

What is diabetes?

Type I diabetes: Also known as juvenile diabetes, this type occurs when the body fails to produce insulin. People with type I diabetes are insulin-dependent, which means they must take artificial insulin daily to stay alive.

Type 2 diabetes: Type 2 diabetes affects the way the body uses insulin. While the body still makes insulin, unlike in type I, the cells in the body do not respond to it as effectively as they once did. This is the most common type of diabetes, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and it has strong links with obesity.

We are so concerned about diabetes as it is one of the main reason why many individuals have lost their vision today. As we seen in this study, Type 2 diabetes patients with poor control can develop the risk of having diabetic retinopathy by 7.5 times. Overall, it is still best to have your eyes check by an Optometrist once a year to ensure you are free from diabetic retinopathy. 

Find out how to get an eyecheck, please click here or email emmevisioncare@gmail.com or contact +65 9383 8569 for further inquiries.