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Patients with diabetes fear vision loss more than premature death, survey finds
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CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Adults with diabetes reported being more concerned over suffering vision loss or blindness than other possible complications of diabetes, including premature death, according to a survey of patients in seven countries.
Investigators interviewed 1,458 diabetic adults in the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Spain, Italy, France and Germany regarding their experiences and understanding of diabetes and its complications. Harris Interactive, an independent market research firm, conducted the survey on behalf of Lions Club International and Eli Lilly and Co., according to a press release from the two organizations.
The survey found that at least 40% of respondents cited vision loss, including uncorrectable vision problems or blindness, as what they feared most, and only 20% cited premature death as their greatest fear. Respondents also associated vision loss with emotional issues, including feelings of frustration (29% to 76%), loss of independence (26% to 57%), depression (33% to 52%), loss of self-confidence (25% to 52%) and a strained relationship with a spouse or partner (9% to 31%), according to the release.
Among respondents who were not blind, 84% to 99% agreed that it is important to have regular dilated eye exams to check for diabetic eye disease, according to the release.