The Centre announced this week that it has launched a new Eye Package that will be available to diabetics as well as non diabetics who visit the Centre by appointment during these two months, as part of its efforts to promote proper eye care among those at risk.

The package includes of a physical examination by a medical officer, tests such as Fasting Blood Sugar and Lipid Profile, photography of the retina using state-of-the-art fundus photography equipment, and a consultation with an eye specialist. The package is priced at the concessionary rate of Rs 2000, the Centre said.

Four leading consultant eye specialists, Dr. Mrs. Udeni Disanayake, Dr. Mrs. Maduwanthi Disanayake, Dr. Nalin Rajakaruna and Dr. Dinesh De Silva are available for consultation at the Centre, which is fully equipped for comprehensive screening of the eye for signs of diabetic retinopathy, one of the commonest complications associated with diabetes.

"Diabetes can affect the eyes in many ways," Senior Medical Officer of the Centre Dr. Sharmila David said. "Good control of diabetes can delay and slow down the rate of progress of diabetic retinopathy and its complications."

She said Diabetes can lead to frequent fluctuations in vision, cataract in young age, decreased vision due to involvement of the optic nerve, temporary paralysis of the muscles controlling the movement of the eyes and double vision.

The longer the person has diabetes, the greater are his or her chances to develop diabetic retinopathy. Almost 80% of people, who have diabetes for 15 years or more, have some damage to the blood vessels in their retina. The other risk factors are high blood pressure, anemia, kidney diseases and pregnancy.

Dr. Sharmila explained that it is important for diabetes patients to get their eyes checked by a specialist at least once a year.

Established four years ago through a collaboration between Ceylinco Healthcare Services Limited (CHSL) and the Washington Hospital Centre as a centre of excellence for the treatment and prevention of diabetes, the Ceylinco Diabetes Centre located at Park Street Colombo 2 is a comprehensive stand-alone facility offering access to medical specialists in many fields of medicine associated with complications arising from the disease.