During Diabetes Awareness Month in November In fact, people with diabetes are 25 times more likely to lose their vision than …
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EyeCare America Provides Free Dilated Eye Exams
During Diabetes Awareness Month in November
Dilated Eye Exams Help Protect Seniors with Diabetes from Vision Loss
November 3, 2008 San Francisco, CA - Diabetes continues to be a
growing epidemic in the United States Currently, an estimated 179
million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes However, another
57 million people are unaware they even have the disease and 57
million people are at risk of getting the disease
What many of these individuals may not know is that all people with
diabetes - both type 1 and type 2 - are at risk for getting diabetic
retinopathy, a leading cause of vision loss among adults in the United
States In fact, people with diabetes are 25 times more likely to
lose their vision than those without the disease In addition, the
longer a person has diabetes, the more likely it is for him or her to
have diabetic retinopathy Between 40 to 45 percent of Americans
diagnosed with diabetes have some form of diabetic
retinopathy
In honor of Diabetes Awareness Month this November, EyeCare America, a
public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of
Ophthalmology, encourages people age 65 and older to take advantage of
its Diabetes EyeCare Program This year-round program offers dilated
eye exams and up to one year of care at no out-of-pocket cost to
qualified patients To see if you, a loved one or a friend, is
eligible to receive a referral to one of EyeCare Americas 7,000
volunteer ophthalmologists, call 1-800-272-EYES 3937 EyeCare
Americas help lines are open 24 hours a day, every day, year round
Diabetes causes up to 24,000 new cases of vision loss each year,
said C Pat Wilkinson, MD, ophthalmologist and chairman of EyeCare
Americas Diabetes EyeCare Program What people dont know is that
early detection, timely treatment and appropriate follow-up care can
reduce their risk of blindness by 95 percent even for people with
established and significant diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the
retina In some people with
diabetic retinopathy, blood vessels may
swell and leak fluid In other people, abnormal new blood vessels grow
on the surface of the retina In its early stages, diabetic
retinopathy usually has no warning signs Over time, however, the
vision blurs and everyday tasks become more difficult Vision loss
cannot usually be regained
EyeCare Americas Diabetes EyeCare Program is designed for people who:
Are age 65 and older
Are US citizens or legal residents
Have not seen an ophthalmologist in three or more years
Do not have insurance through an HMO or the VA
People eligible for a referral through the program receive a
comprehensive, medical eye exam and up to one year of care at no out-
of-pocket cost for any disease diagnosed during the initial exam
Volunteer ophthalmologists accept Medicare and/or other insurance
reimbursement as payment in full Individuals without insurance are
seen at no charge
For a Diabetes EyeCare Program referral, those interested may call
1800272EYES 3937 toll-free, 24 hours a day, every day, year
round
About EyeCare
America
Founded in 1985, EyeCare America, a public service program of the
Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, is committed to
the preservation of sight, accomplishing its mission through public
service and education EyeCare Americas public service programs
provide eye care services to the medically underserved and for those
at increased risk for eye disease through its corps of 7,000 volunteer
ophthalmologists dedicated to serving their communities More than 90
percent of the care made available is provided with no out-of-pocket
cost to the patients Public service includes programs for seniors,
glaucoma, diabetes, AMD and children, and is the largest program of
its kind in American medicine Since its inception, EyeCare America
has helped more than 1 million people More information can be found
at: wwweyecareamericaorg
Media Contact: Allison Neves, Director of EyeCare America
Communications, 4155618518, aneves@aaoorg
NOTE TO EDITORS AND PRODUCERS: High-resolution images available in the
EyeCare America Press Room at wwweyecareamericaorg
B-roll as well
as interviews with EyeCare America spokespeople available upon
request
Source:castlemed.com
