Despite diabetes being such a common disease, lots of people get confused between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 is considered an autoimmune disease meaning that your own body attacks cells in your pancreas that produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes means that your body is unable to make enough insulin, or the insulin produced does not work effectively. The main thing to understand is that both types of diabetes have no cure, and both can lead to serious health complications. One of these complications is vision loss and blindness.
The Prince of Wales Hospital Diabetes Centre is a place for patients to find assistance in managing the disease to avoid serious complications but, the centre also pushes boundaries by conducting Australian first clinical trials. The FAME 1 Eye Trial – a research study led in conjunction with other hospitals – is examining early or moderate retinopathy in people with type 1 diabetes using an oral medication that has shown results for patients with type 2 diabetes. This research study was made possible, thanks to our supporters who generously gave towards the recent tax appeal and raised funds for a vital piece of medical equipment.
