A charity is calling for more accessible technology to help blind and partially sighted people better manage their diabetes. The RNIB shared Joanna Penn’s story during Diabetes Week (14–20 June), who says that “there’s still a lot to be improved” when it comes to sight loss and technology.
Penn, who has diabetic retinopathy, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2002 when she was 18 and was due to receive an insulin pump but was concerned about its accessibility. “An insulin pump can be quite fiddly to use. It may be easier for people who still have some sight like me to use one independently, but I think someone who is blind could struggle with it,” she said.
Dr Louise Gow, specialist lead for eye health at the RNIB, said: “The most important thing you can do to prevent sight loss due to diabetic retinopathy is to go to your retinal screening appointments and eye examinations.”
