The longer a person has diabetes, the greater the chance that you will develop That’s why it’s important for people with diabetes to have a dilated eye exam at …
Diabetic Eye Disease
Diabetic retinopathy is one of a group of eye problems, including
cataracts and glaucoma, that may develop as a complication of diabetes
Diabetic retinopathy causes blood vessels in the retina to become fragile,
leak fluid and swell the retina leading to blurred vision The longer a
person has diabetes, the greater the chance that you will develop diabetic
retinopathy Diabetics are 25 times more likely to lose vision than someone
without the disease
Approximately 16 million people in America, and 308,000 in Washington
State, have diabetes, and one-third do not even know it Of those cases
that are diagnosed, between 40 and 45 percent have some degree of diabetic
retinopathy, a potentially blinding eye disease that is a complication of
diabetes
Early diabetic retinopathy often has no corresponding symptoms
Therefore, a patient may not notice visual changes until the disease has
significantly progressed With early detection, routine monitoring, and
timely treatment with laser surgery, vision can be saved in more than 90
percent of those who would otherwise become blind from the disease Thats
why its important for people with diabetes to have a
dilated eye exam at
least once a year
People with diabetes can slow the onset and progression of diabetic
retinopathy and reduce the likelihood of vision loss through better control
of blood sugar levels A medically supervised program of diet and exercise
is a great way to help control blood sugar levels Dr Nichols urges people
with diabetes to take the initiative and call their eye care professional
to schedule this exam A good time to schedule the exam is the month of
November - National Diabetes Month - so you dont forget
Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes who have not had an eye exam in
the past two years can call the American Optometric Association Diabetes
Hotline at 1-800-262-3947 to learn about a free screening program
Source:lincolnhospital.org
