Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was nine, the Warrnambool teenager uses technology to record and send important medical information to the diabetes educator in Hamilton to help keep her chronic disease in check.

National Diabetes Services Scheme data shows 1643 people in Warrnambool have been diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Despite having relatives with diabetes Rebecca said the diagnosis, which coincided with her nana's 70th birthday, still came as a shock.

"I thought it was scary," she said.

"I didn't know I had it, I didn't know what it was but mum told me it wasn't scary."

But now the Brauer College student takes it all in her stride, not letting the disease stop her from playing tennis, netball and taking part in activities she loves.

As part of her treatment, every week Rebecca downloads results from her blood glucose monitor and a computer program displays the information as a graph and pie chart to show which readings were within, above or below the right levels.

That information is then sent to her diabetes educator John Kearney who emails her feedback on what the readings mean and gives advice.

"It's a lot easier," Rebecca said of using her laptop to better understand her test results.

Since being diagnosed Rebecca said medical support and also taking part in camps organised by Diabetes Australia, where she meets other young people with diabetes, has helped her to better understand the disease.

In just six years since her diagnosis, Rebecca said she had seen technology and medical advances improve her treatment and she feels positive about living with the disease as she gets older.

The teen is also one of 40 Victorians taking part in a two-year medical trial aimed at reducing the risk of complications often associated with diabetes in later life, including diabetes-related blindness.

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision impairment and anyone with type 1 or type 2 diabetes is at risk.

New information released by the Centre for Eye Research Australia found 35 per cent of Australians with diabetes, did not have their eyes checked at least every two years as recommended and 17 per cent had undetected diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetes Australia and Vision 2020 Australia have launched a campaign aimed at getting more people to have their eyes checked as a main focus of National Diabetes Week which runs until Saturday.

Type 2 diabetes is the fastest growing chronic disease in Australia and many people underestimate their risk of developing the disease.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which can affect people of any age but is usually diagnosed in children and young adults.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease and is often triggered by being inactive or carrying excess weight around the abdomen.

tliptai@standard.fairfax.com.au