An organization focused on vision health care is reminding Canadians about the various complications associated with diabetes as the awareness month closes out.

The Canadian Ophthalmological Society says around 5.7 million Canadians are affected by diabetes today. It can lead to the development of diabetic retinopathy which can cause vision loss.

However, according to a recent survey only six per cent of respondents who are concerned about their eye health say they had their eyes checked due to diabetes over the past year.

The organization’s Doctor Phil Hooper says people living with diabetes should get regular eye exams to ensure they can catch diabetic retinopathy, as it can be treated if caught early enough.

For the full interview, catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.