Ben was just 12 years old when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It was a terrible shock and he didn’t know how much it would change his life.
One morning this April, Ben awoke to find he was blind in his left eye – everything was black. His retina had detached due to diabetes and his sight may never be restored. He now lives with the constant fear that the same thing will happen to his right eye and he’ll be completely blind.
Across Western Australia a crisis is unfolding – diabetes is affecting more people’s sight. In children and teenagers, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are a major cause of severe and irreversible vision loss. The Perron Paediatric Retinopathy Initiative clinic was recently opened at the Lions Eye Institute. A partnership with the Perth Children’s Hospital, and generously supported by the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, this much-needed resource is where children can be screened, assessed and treated for diabetes-related vision changes.
Please donate today to ensure children with diabetes can have the best chance to receive interventions, before it’s too late. Your support this festive season can give the gift of sight to people like Ben. Read more about Ben’s journey and donate today.
Give hope to people like Bill
Bill remembers feeling fear. Your donation could help save the sight of people like Bill.
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Give hope to people like Melissa
Your donation could help save the sight of people just like Melissa.
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Hope for Carrie Anne
Your donation could help save the sight of people just like Carrie Anne.
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Sarah’s wish is to save her sight
Your donation could help save the sight of people just like Sarah.
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Donate in celebration
Celebrate your next special occasion with a donation to The Lions Eye Institute.
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Honour your champion of care
It’s an enduring way to show your appreciation while helping save sight.
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Kealan and Eamon’s Story
If we can find the answers to help these two boys, one day we might be able to help millions.
Read their storyDonate by phone or mail
Please call us on 08 9381 0777 between 9:00am and 5:00pm WST weekdays.
Lions Eye Institute
Reply Paid 62815
2 Verdun St
Nedlands WA 6009
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