Richard Gair, aged 45 from Doncaster, was diagnosed with diabetes at age 17 and received a pancreas and kidney transplant last year. Although Richard’s diabetes is now classified as in remission due to the successful transplant, Richard recently experienced a diabetic vitreous haemorrhage which is where blood vessels burst in the eye and cause sight loss.
Fortunately, Richard immediately contacted the diabetic eye screening team at Doncaster Royal Infirmary who rushed him in for an emergency appointment.
Richard said: “It was a frightening experience. I was at home when it happened. It started out as a little speck on my vision which quickly spread down, and almost completely covered my eye. At the time it affected me mentally, you can’t look to the future, all you can think about is that you can’t see. The thing that really got to me was the thought that I might not see my dad’s face again.”
Now that Richard has recovered from the incident, he is encouraging anyone living with diabetes to take up their invitations to diabetic eye screening. The test involves a special camera taking a photograph of the eye to pick up any changes and treat the condition early if it is detected. Everyone aged 12 and over with diabetes is invited to attend for this screening once a year.
Richard said: “It’s a no brainer really – half an hour out of your life to come to an appointment which could stop you from going blind – I think that’s definitely worth it. I now know what it feels like to lose your sight and I’m so grateful that I can see again. The team at the hospital were great. They treated me like they genuinely cared about me, not like I was an ID number or a pile of notes.”
Ingrid Thomasson, Joint Programme Manager for the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme, said: “Thankfully we were Richard’s first port of call when he experienced problems and were able to initially examine and fast track his referral to the hospital eye clinic with a positive outcome. It is very important that everyone attends their screening appointments when they receive them, even if their diabetes is classed as being in remission.”
Richard is now running a successful business which makes bespoke, hand painted leather jackets. He has recently attended Manchester Fashion Show and has bagged some contracts with high end designers.
Speaking of his success, Richard said: “I’m very lucky that I love my work. It’s my livelihood and I couldn’t imagine losing my sight and not being able to do what I love. I’d hate to think that this could happen to someone else out there with a much less fortunate outcome and they wouldn’t be able to pursue their dreams. So, if you have diabetes, make sure you attend your screening appointments. It could save your eye sight.”
If you have diabetes there are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk of sight loss. As well as attending your screening appointments every year, make sure you exercise regularly, eat well and control your blood sugar levels and avoid smoking.
If you think you have missed your screening appointment you can call the team on 01302 642596 to arrange another.