Dark days face diabetics (糖尿病) blind to retinopathy risk

More than half of diabetes patients do not realize (note 1) that one of the complications of the disease may cause blindness (盲).

 

That is the stark truth (note 2) about diabetic retinopathy (糖尿病視網膜病變), though early treatment and medication may effect a cure in 90 percent of cases.

 

Hong Kong Ophthalmological (眼科) Society president Nancy Yuen Shi-yin said diabetes is a major health problem ( note 3) and diabetic retinopathy is fast becoming on the main causes of blindness in the territory.

 

But more than 60 percent of diabetics have no idea about (note 4) related retinopathy or its symptoms (症狀), a 2010 study by the society found.

 

“About 10 percent of the population are diabetic, of whom 40 percent may also suffer from diabetic retinopathy, which can cause vision damage (note 5) or even blindness, “Yuen said.  The risk of severe forms of diabetic retinopathy grows with age, the noted eye doctor said.

 

“While Hong Kong is comparatively (對比地) well off, people still run the risk (note 6) of losing their sight due to the disease. An average of 200 diabetics have become blind annually in recent years.”

 

Diabetic retinopathy is almost totally symptom-free (沒有症狀) in the early stages. The disease only becomes apparent (表面) when patients experience bleeding in the eyes or blurred (模糊不清) vision.

 

Calling on all diabetics to get their eyes checked once a year, Yuen said: “Early detection may reduce the chances of developing severe visual problem by up to 90 percent.”

 

Besides seeking medical help and undergoing (經歷) surgery if need be, Yuen also advises retinopathy patients to exercise regularly and keep a balanced diet so that their blood glucose in under control as “fighting against diabetic retinopathy is a long battle.”

 

 

(note 1) do not realize=不太了解。例句：More and more Hongkongers believe CY Leung and his team do not realize that people are unhappy.

 

(note2) start truth=完全的，全然的真相。Victor gave a stark denial to the rumor=Victor對謡言加以完全的否認。例句：Economists opine that the mainland is facing the stark truth of a hard landing in the near future.

 

(note 3) a major health problem=主要的健康問題。例句：Almost all Hong Kong people are living with extreme stress-this stress is contributing to some of their major health problems.

 

(note 4)  have no idea about=毫無頭緒。例句：Personally, I have no idea how radical democratic lawmarkers can secure adequate votes to win in an election.

 

(note 5) cause vision damage=損害視力。例句：Inappropriate care and cleaning of contact lenses can result in blurring of vision. If these eye problems are not detected and treated early, they may cause vision damage and even blindness.

 

(note 6) run the risk=冒險。Risk one’s fortune or life=拼著財產、性命。例句：After the High Court’s clearance order, the “Occupy Central” movement participants attempted to continue their protest at a plaza beneath the HSBC headquarters, but they ran the risk of being forced out by the HSBC security guards.