The man has spoken up to help others during Diabetes Awareness Month
A man from Bangor is warning members of the public about the dangers of ignoring symptoms associated with diabetes — after he suffered significant sight loss. Davy Daniel has developed permanent sight loss due to diabetic retinopathy — a condition that affects the network of blood vessels supplying the retina at the back of the eye.
Davy, who was 55 when he experienced significant sight loss said: “I ignored the symptoms for months. I was very tired, always thirsty, always needing to go to the toilet, and had lost a fair amount of weight. My wife thought something was wrong, but it was only after my eyesight kept getting dimmer and dimmer that I went to get checked.
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“The optician asked if I was diabetic, and said I needed to contact my GP. They discovered I did have diabetes and had developed diabetic retinopathy with my blood sugars being up for so long. They tried laser and injections and things, but there wasn’t a lot they could do at that stage.
“I had to give up work as I drove machines. I was in the depths of depression. Laura from Sensory Support tried to get in touch but I wasn’t interested in anything. But she didn’t give up.
“An opportunity to join a trip to the Crumlin Road Gaol came up, with RNIB, and I thought that would actually be interesting, so I went along. It was there that I met other people who have sight loss due to different conditions and I’m still good friends with to this day. It really helped lift me.
“Now, to manage my diabetes, I have one of the implants and scanners that helps me keep an eye on my sugar levels, as I wouldn’t be able to read one of the usual glucose monitors, and I think a lot more people have them in general now.”
Davy urged people not to ignore the signs of diabetes and to get checked.
Gillian Clifford, NHS Engagement Manager at RNIB Northern Ireland, added: “Diabetes Awareness Month provides an opportunity for all of us to learn more about the causes, symptoms, management, and realities of life for those living with Diabetes.
“Sight loss caused by diabetes is often preventable. Regular diabetic eye screening is vital because retinopathy can develop without symptoms, and screening detects changes to the retina at an early stage. Screening takes less than half an hour and could save your sight. We urge everyone eligible to attend their appointments and seek help early.
“We also welcome and support Diabetes UK’s ‘Strike Out Stigma Campaign’. Blame, judgement and misconceptions, are contrary to the care and support, which people experiencing symptoms, newly diagnosed individuals, and those living with Diabetes, deserve. We must all strive for knowledge and understanding to breakdown stereotypes and improve outcomes.”
November marks Diabetes Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of the serious risks posed by undiagnosed diabetes and its potential impact on sight. Figures from Diabetes UK Northern Ireland show that almost 118,000 people in Northern Ireland are living with diabetes, and this number continues to rise. With this increase comes a greater risk of diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of sight loss among people of working age.
For advice on managing diabetes, visit here or call 028 9066 6646.
For emotional and practical support with sight loss, visit here, contact the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk
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