BARP launches eye screening programme

The Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) has teamed up with the Barbados Diabetes Foundation to provide eye tests for members.

President Marilyn-Rice Bowen urged members to bring along the whole family, especially those who have complained about their vision, because “prevention is better than cure”.

Meanwhile, retina specialist and clinical lead of the Barbados Diabetes Eye Screening Programme, Dr Charles Pierce, said it was a simple process that took about ten minutes.

“So what we’re really trying to do is pick up as many people who have diabetes in the early stages of the disease. So when there’s no disease, and then if we see any signs of progression, we can either monitor it more closely or refer at a stage where you can treat without causing any loss of vision. This is a fantastic opportunity to reach as many people as possible,” he explained. (JK)

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