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Archived Newsletters
| November is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month |
Approximately 29 million Americans age 20 or older have diabetes. But many, almost onethird,
don't know they have the disease and are at risk for vision loss and other health
problems.
Diabetic eye disease, a group of eye problems that affects those with diabetes, includes
diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma. The most common of these is diabetic
retinopathy, which affects 5.3 million Americans age 18 and older.
Diabetic retinopathy is a potentially blinding condition in which the blood vessels inside
the retina become damaged from the high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes.
This leads to the leakage of fluids into the retina and the obstruction of blood flow. Both
may cause vision loss.
More than one-third of those diagnosed with diabetes do not receive the recommended
vision care and are at risk for blindness. Early symptoms are often unnoticed, therefore
your vision may not be affected until the disease is severe and less easily treated.
Once you are diagnosed with diabetes, schedule a complete dilated eye examination with
your Eye M.D. at least once a year. Make an appointment promptly if you experience
blurred vision and/or floaters that:
- Affect only one eye
- Last more than a few days
- Are not associated with a change in blood sugar
In advanced cases of diabetic retinopathy, laser treatment has been shown to reduce the
risk of severe vision loss and blindness. This surgery does not cure diabetic retinopathy or
restore vision which has already been lost, nor does it prevent future vision loss, especially
if diabetes or blood pressure is not well controlled.
Diabetes can also affect your vision by causing cataracts and glaucoma. If you have
diabetes, you may get cataracts at a younger age, and your chances of developing
glaucoma are doubled.
Early diagnosis of diabetes and, most importantly, maintaining strict control of blood sugar
and hypertension through diet, exercise and medication can help reduce your risk of
developing eye diseases associated with diabetes.
Created on 8/3/2005
