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Consultant ophthalmologist Dr Nicholas Lee has sounded an alarm about the scale of unmet eye screening needs among people living with diabetes in the British Virgin Islands. According to reporting by BVI News, approximately 3,500 residents with diabetes may require eye examinations, yet a screening initiative run by the BVI Diabetes Association has examined just over 250 patients to date.
Dr Lee, who divides his time between the United Kingdom and the BVI, spoke on the Talking Points radio programme about the need for a more coordinated approach to diabetic eye care. He noted that roughly 30 per cent of patients screened through the programme had been identified with eye conditions requiring treatment. The specialist emphasised that diabetic retinopathy—a condition affecting the retina—can progress without causing noticeable changes in vision until it reaches an advanced stage, making regular screening essential.
The existing screening programme uses high-definition photography to examine the back of patients’ eyes and includes checks of blood pressure, blood sugar, and eye pressure. The service has been offered on Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke, and is currently provided free of charge, though the association welcomes donations to support operations. Dr Lee explained that the procedure is quick and painless, making it accessible to patients across the islands.
To expand the programme’s reach, Dr Lee identified a critical need for additional personnel, particularly trained volunteers to operate the screening camera. "I can screen, I can review the photographs from anywhere in the world. But I need somebody to take those photographs," he stated. He noted that discussions have taken place with Health Minister Vincent Wheatley about improving diabetes care more broadly, with a government-commissioned healthcare review providing a foundation for future planning.
Dr Lee stressed that early detection and treatment of diabetes-related eye problems can significantly reduce healthcare costs over time. He urged all diabetic patients to undergo annual eye examinations, whether with an optometrist or ophthalmologist, rather than waiting until vision deteriorates. "Get your eyes checked at least once a year if you’re diabetic," he advised, underscoring the importance of preventive care in managing complications.
Diabetes is a significant public health concern in the Caribbean region, where rates of the disease are among the highest in the world. The British Virgin Islands, like many Caribbean territories, faces challenges in providing comprehensive screening and management services for the growing number of residents living with diabetes and its associated complications.
This story reflects broader healthcare challenges across the Caribbean, where diabetes prevalence is high and access to specialist screening services remains limited. The BVI’s experience with expanding diabetic eye care is relevant to other Caribbean territories facing similar gaps in preventive health services and the need to coordinate care across island communities.
Sources and attribution
- BVI News
- 170 residents screened for diabetic eye disease
- Diabetic Retinopathy – National Eye Institute – NIHwww.nei.nih.gov › learn-about-eye-health › eye-conditions-and-diseases
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