Dr Rebecca (Becky) Thomas
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beckylt09.bsky.social
Dr Rebecca (Becky) Thomas
@beckylt09.bsky.social
130 followers 120 following 21 posts
Senior Lecturer, epidemiologist, diabetes & eye health.

Mum of 2 footy mad boys. Loves dogs, food & travel. Lives in Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Cymru am byth
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beckylt09.bsky.social
FARSight-DM recruited its first participants today!

We’re looking at a new pathway for the management of diabetic maculopathy & pre-proliferative diabetic retinopathy in the community instead of hospitals in Wales.
November 20, 2024 at 5:31 PM
beckylt09.bsky.social
People with sight loss need diabetes to be accessible so they can manage as independently as possible.

The challenge to diabetes companies whether you make insulin, pens, pumps, CGM or HCL is:

Can you #SeeTheNeed so that no one is #LeftBehind
In the centre is a red speech bubble with the text Can you #SeeTheNeed so no one is #Leftbehind this is surrounding by graphics of an eyeball holding a magnifying glass, insulin pens a blood glucose meter, the world sight day 2024 logo, insulin pump, CGM, insulin vial and a funny blood drop holding a blood glucose meter.
November 18, 2024 at 3:12 PM
beckylt09.bsky.social
There are devices available that can help people with sight loss to see and read:

🔎Magnifiers
📚text readers
💬speech and magnification software

But these can be expensive 💷

#SeeTheNeed #LeftBehind
The infographic has pictures or magnifying glasses both normal and electronic, a smart phone with large print and glasses with text reader attached. The text reads: There are low vision aids available for people living with sight loss. These range from: glass magnifiers electronic magnifiers mobile phones wearable text readers speech and magnification software for computers/laptops/TVs These aids can help but are expensive Images from RNIB and available in their shop #SeeTheNeed #LeftBehind
November 18, 2024 at 3:12 PM
beckylt09.bsky.social
Some things that can help and be built into technology/apps:

High contrast allows more people with sight loss to see.

Coloured needles and tubes - why is everything black/white/clear?

Prefilled pump cartridges

flashing lights

#SeeTheNeed #LeftBehind
The infographic is a circle in the centre with arrows coming off pointing at things which could help. Centre text asks: How can technologies for diabetes management be improved for people with sight loss? Enlarged font size High Contrast Auditory feedback Coloured needles/tubes Voice recognitions prefilled pump cartridges #SeeTheNeed #LeftBehind
November 18, 2024 at 3:12 PM
beckylt09.bsky.social
People with sight loss are worried if they speak up about their difficulties their diabetes technology will be removed.

They are excluded or become disengaged in clinic because they can't see what HCPs are trying to show them.

#SeeTheNeed #LeftBehind
Infographic contains quotes from people with diabetes living with sight loss inside speech bubbles. They read: 'I have difficulties seeing my pump screen but thinking if I moan it will be taken away' 'I have to button count as I can't see the screen at all' 'Alarms are great but they all sound the same: hyper, hypo, low battery' 'Can’t see the computer screen when talking to DSN at hospital, I really want engage and understand but it upsets me reminds of how little I can see' 'Use an insulin pen to fill up my pods but rely on the clicking noise' 'Putting your insulin dose into a pump or pen is all about sight'
November 18, 2024 at 3:12 PM
beckylt09.bsky.social
In 2024 when innovation is everywhere why are people living with sight loss still counting clicks?

Alarms are great but do they all sound the same? Can you tell the difference between high/low glucose alarm?

Text to speak can't read TIR as it's a graph

#SeeTheNeed #LeftBehind
Infographic reads: Is it OK to expect people with sight loss to manage diabetes this way? Prick a finger to drop blood on small strip and place into hole monitor for it speak the reading e reading Talking glucose meters - Prick a finger to drop blood CGM - Text to speak doesn’t solve everything: Did you know graphs can’t be read so time in range is unknown Insulin pens - Count the clicks to hear how much insulin they have dialled up even in noisy surroundings Insulin Pumps- can't see a very small screen, insert a cannula, or fill a resevior because they are white/clear Rely on third party apps for accessibility features that can and should be built into all apps. #SeeTheNeed #LeftBehind
November 18, 2024 at 3:12 PM
beckylt09.bsky.social
A survey @SwanseaMedicine found:

96% of HCPs had difficulty finding technology for people with sight loss

All HCPs thought diabetes self management would improve if technology was more accessible

#SeeTheNeed #LeftBehind
Infographic reads: #SeeTheNeed #LeftBehind World Sight Day Survey answered by 22 people with diabetes living with sight loss and 23 healthcare professionals conducted at Swansea University 9% found it difficult to use a CGM 27% found it difficult to use an insulin pump. 96% of healthcare professionals had difficulty finding diabetes technology for people with sight loss All healthcare professionals agreed that those living with sight loss could improve diabetes management if technology was more accessible Survey approved by Swansea University Medical school ethics board as part of BSc projects
November 18, 2024 at 3:12 PM
beckylt09.bsky.social
Diabetic retinopathy is not the only eye condition that causes sight loss in people with diabetes

They are also at higher risk of cataracts, glaucoma, AMD

3.2 million people globally have moderate to severe sight loss due to diabetic retinopathy

#SeeTheNeed #LeftBehind
Infographic reads: #SeeTheNeed #LeftBehind World Sight Day People with diabetes can have other eye conditions that cause sight loss not just diabetic retinopathy Conditions such as: Retinitis Pigmentosa, Usher syndrome, Stargardt Disease, Retinoblastoma, Best disease In addition people with diabetes are more at risk of developing more common causes of sight loss, Cataracts, Glaucoma, Age Related Macular Degeneration, Retinal Vein or Artery Occlusions 3.28 million people have moderate to severe sight loss due to diabetic retinopathy but many more will live with sight loss due to these other eye conditions
November 18, 2024 at 3:12 PM
beckylt09.bsky.social
Did you know a complication of #Diabetes is diabetic retinopathy. Left untreated this can lead to sight loss.

Diabetes is a condition with numbers: glucose, insulin, carbohydrate. But what if you can't see the numbers?
#SeeTheNeed #LeftBehind
The infographic reads: #SeeTheNeed #LeftBehind 2.2 million people are living with sight loss in the UK 2023 (3.3%) 28,670 children and young people age 0-17 years live with sight impairment and severe sight impairment 427,000 people of working age live with sight loss 1.3 million people with diabetes have diabetic retinopathy. 123,000 people have severe diabetic retinopathy (R2,R3,M1) 20% experience difficulties managing diabetes due to vision loss Figures from RNIB and Barometer study
November 18, 2024 at 3:12 PM