London music teacher Diane considered music her identity and life, but diabetes threatened it
Diane was severely impacted by diabetes. High blood sugar damaged her retinal blood vessels. Swelling and leaking blood vessels cause blurry vision and scotomas in both eyes.
Fundus photography and OCT Scans reveal Macula: mild pigment changes and dot haemorrhage, with laser scarring extending from the periphery.
Previous laser treatment and diabetic retinopathy have left flat, well-defined scarring, with scattered dot haemorrhage.
While we can't exactly replicate how Diane sees things, she worked with us to create this image of how she sees sheet music, complete with blurred and blind spots.
Diane requested that we include this photo of her from our first meeting in this case study to demonstrate how diabetes overtook her life because she believes it reflects how depressed she felt.
By strategically positioning the prism's base (the thicker part), we moved the perceived image to a healthier, less damaged area of Diane's retina, improving overall visual function.
"The new glasses improve my vision enough so that I can sight-read again. I can see all the notes, accidentals, dynamics and key signatures. Everything I was struggling with before". Diane
Diane has been so delighted with her new glasses that she has since purchased another four pairs in different frames to wear for different occasions.
Performing Arts Vision Care took the time to listen to my concerns. They have the skills, understanding and state-of-the-art equipment to give me some vision back.
"I am delighted and would recommend Performing Arts Vision Care to any musician experiencing vision problems."
Diabetes Awareness Week: Diane’s Story
How Specialist Vision Care Helped a Music Teacher Reclaim Her Passion
Diabetic Awareness Week is an opportunity to highlight the real-life impact of diabetes on people’s lives—and to share stories of hope and resilience. At Performing Arts Vision Care, we see first-hand how diabetes can affect not just health, but careers, confidence, and the ability to enjoy the things we love. Diane’s story (not her real name) is a powerful example of how specialist vision care can help performers adapt and thrive, even in the face of progressive sight loss.
When Diabetes Threatens More Than Health
Diane is a passionate music teacher from London, teaching and conducting her school’s wind band, orchestra, and choir. She also enjoys playing her cornet in her local brass band and singing in her community choir. Like many performers, music isn’t just a job for Diane—it’s her identity and her life.
Several years ago, Diane was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Despite careful management, her blood sugar levels became increasingly unpredictable. Over time, she developed progressive diabetic retinopathy, a complication that damages the blood vessels in the retina and can lead to vision loss. Diane underwent numerous treatments, including pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP), vitrectomies in both eyes, and has regular Intravitreal injections. She has also developed mixed cataracts and severe photophobia, meaning she is extremely sensitive to light and relies on prescription sunglasses outdoors.
The Impact on Music and Life
Despite her determination, Diane’s vision continued to deteriorate. Sight reading music—a skill essential for teaching and performing—became almost impossible. Large areas of her vision were obscured by scotomas (blind spots), and even with repeated treatments, her right eye in particular suffered from persistent pain and further complications. Diane could no longer drive, and her independence and confidence suffered as a result. She was signed off work for depression and withdrew from her beloved band, missing both music and the social connection it brought. Faced with such dire circumstances, Diane contacted the British Association of Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) for help. They referred her to Performing Arts Vision Care. Diane requested that we include a photo of her from our first meeting in this case study because she believes it exemplifies how diabetes had, in her words, stolen her life.
Specialist Care, Delivered with Understanding
Diane wasn’t ready to give up. She reached out to Performing Arts Vision Care for help. Recognising the challenges Diane faced with travel, our team visited her at home—a service we offer to ensure performers can still access the specialist care they deserve, wherever they are.
Our comprehensive Performing Arts Vision Appraisal included advanced techniques such as VR visual field analysis, saccadic eye tracking, and behavioural vision analysis. These state-of-the-art assessments allowed us to thoroughly map Diane’s remaining vision, evaluate her eye movements and focusing abilities, and identify the specific challenges she faced when reading music and working at different distances.
Innovative Solutions for Unique Visual Needs
Diane found traditional vision solutions insufficient. Our team created one-of-a-kind performance lenses, this time featuring bespoke yoked prisms—specialist lenses that shift the image reaching the retina to a less damaged area, allowing Diane to sight read and see her conductor and students. This novel approach enabled Diane to use a different part of her retina for close work and sight reading, allowing her to adapt to her changing vision.
With her new lenses and the support of our team, Diane has since returned to work. Although she is still unable to drive, she is back doing the job she loves—teaching music and conducting her school’s band and choir. Even more importantly, she has rejoined her local brass band and is once again making music with her friends.
Delighted with Her New Glasses
Diane has been so delighted with her new glasses that she has since purchased another four pairs in different frames to wear for different occasions. For Diane, being able to choose frames for work, social events, and personal style has given her an extra boost of confidence and joy as she returns to a fuller, more independent life.
In Diane’s Own Words
"My vision still isn’t perfect; that would be a miracle. I know my eyes are damaged by the diabetes, but the new glasses improve my vision enough so that I can sight-read again. I can see all the notes, accidentals, dynamics and key signatures. Everything I was struggling with before. I can also now see well enough to mark students' work and see what they are writing in lessons.
Performing Arts Vision Care took the time to listen to my concerns, unlike my previous well-known optician, who only wanted to quickly test my eyes and provide me with glasses. They have the skills, understanding and state-of-the-art equipment to give me some vision back.
I am delighted and would recommend Performing Arts Vision Care to any musician experiencing vision problems. I should’ve just gone to Performing Arts Vision Care in the first place.”
A Message of Hope
Diane’s story is a powerful reminder that vision loss from diabetes doesn’t have to mean the end of a performing career—or a passion for music. Specialist vision care can make a life-changing difference, helping people adapt, regain confidence, and reconnect with what matters most.
If you or someone you know is struggling with vision loss due to diabetes, you’re not alone. At Performing Arts Vision Care, we’re here to help, with award-winning expertise and a deep understanding of the unique visual demands of performers.
Contact us on 0333 335 5745 to find out how we can help you or your loved ones continue to enjoy the magic of performance, no matter the challenges diabetes may bring. Or should you wish to visit us in our practice in West Yorkshire, call 01484 90 70 90.
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