Diabetes epidemic takes toll on eyes

By CHARLOTTE WINSTONE

More New Zealanders are suffering severe cataracts as the diabetes epidemic worsens, researchers have discovered.

A four-year study of eyesight problems has found New Zealanders are suffering more severe cataract problems, which may be connected with diabetes and exposure to the sun.

The chair of Ophthalmology at Auckland University, Professor Charles McGhee, said that although incidence was in line with world statistics, the cases seemed to be more severe.

"This is partly connected to the high rate of diabetes in New Zealand, and particularly among Maori and Pacific Island people, which leads to earlier diabetic cataracts."

Hard nuclear cataracts, the most severe form, are more prevalent in New Zealanders.

"When I worked in Scotland I'd probably see one such advanced hard cataract a month, whereas here I see three or four a week," said Professor McGhee.

"Partly this is because in the UK and the USA people present with their cataract at much earlier stage."

Diabetes and sun exposure "definitely contribute to earlier and harder cataracts in New Zealand".

The country has one of the worst rates of diabetes in the world, with one in seven people suffering from the disease.

Diabetes costs New Zealand about $170 million a year, but in 20 years that could rise to $1 billion.

The country is facing an epidemic of Type 2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity, poor diet and a lack of exercise.

A further 60,000 people are expected to to be diagnosed with the disease by 2021.

Professor McGhee's comments come after the latest results from the Auckland Cataract Study (led by himself), which started in 1999 and has followed 500 people from the region.

The study highlighted the link between diabetes and cataracts.

It found that women (because they live longer), diabetics and Maori and Pacific Island people are more likely to suffer from the disease.

Cataract sufferers were also found to have a high level of other diseases, which was partly attributable to the fact that the mean age of participants was 77.

Professor McGhee said cataracts were very treatable and people should seek help early.

Auckland Diabetes Centre nurse educator Barbara Carter said the retinal screening programme was up to date, but she feared that Auckland Hospital was under pressure with the number of patients coming through.

If treatment was delayed "the end stage is that patients will lose sight", she said.

At Wellington Hospital, 200 patients on the eye surgery list have been waiting longer than the Government guideline of six months.

But Auckland hospitals say just 1.2 per cent of patients have been waiting longer than six months.

Professor McGhee predicts that screening of diabetic patients will turn up about 10 per cent more patients needing eye surgery.

But he said Auckland services had enough staff to remain within the six-month guideline.

Three new medical retina experts had been appointed recently to deal with the anticipated need for eye surgery in light of the high rate of diabetes being found in New Zealanders.

"Auckland has been significantly insulated, hopefully because of forward planning."