In Slovenia there are around 150 thousand diabetes patients. Eye complications happen to almost a third of all diabetics. Every tenth diabetes patient in Slovenia is short-sighted or blind. Diabetes can cause damage to the fundus of the eye, or in other words diabetic retinopathy.

"It is a treacherous and non painful disease. It can lead to ugly and dire consequences," says Dušica Pahor, the head of the Department for Eye Diseases at UKC Maribor. Damaged vision can turn a diabetic into a disabled person. There are no symptoms. When your eye sight starts deteriorating it may already be too late. However, there is a way to prevent it.

"Regular screenings play an important role in preventing eye complications as a result of diabetes," explains Jože Uršič from the Department for Eye Diseases.
In November, 8 hospitals will start conducting vision screenings for diabetes patients, and that in Maribor, Ljubljana, Izola, Šempeter, Kranj, Murska Sobota, Novo Mesto and Celje. The government has approved 1,7 million euros for the program.