Diabetes Places Millions At Risk For Blindness
November is American Diabetes Month
There are about 8 million people in America
today who are at risk for vision loss because they don't know
they have diabetes. Additionally, an estimated 5.4 million
of the 15.7 million people in the U.S. with diabetes don't
know it.
Are you one of them?
"This is a tragedy waiting to happen because
people with diabetes can develop a complication called diabetic
retinopathy, which is the leading cause of blindness among
working-age Americans," said Dr. Joseph Wilhelm, ophthalmologist
(Eye M.D.) and retinal specialist in East Lansing. "But vision
loss from diabetic retinopathy can be prevented if it's caught
and treated in time."
In honor of American Diabetes Month, which is
celebrated each year throughout the month of November, Eye
M.D.s (ophthalmologists) across the country are urging Americans
to S.E.E.! (Stop Endangering Eyes). If you have diabetes,
have a yearly dilated eye exam.
Unfortunately, a recent study found that only
half of people with diabetes age 65 and older see their Eye
M.D.s annually, and only 67 percent schedule appointments
every two years. The longer a person has diabetes, the greater
the risk for developing the disease. However, it not only
affects people who have had diabetes for many years, it can
also appear within the first year or two after the onset of
the disease. For some people, retinopathy is one of the first
signs that they have diabetes.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
High blood sugar levels can weaken blood vessels
in the eye's retina, which can leak blood or fluid. This causes
the retina to swell and form deposits that can lead to vision
loss. Blood sugar fluctuations can also promote growth of
new, fragile blood vessels on the retina, which can break
easily and leak blood into the vitreous [the clear, jelly-like
substance that fills the center of the eye]. This can also
blur vision and lead to permanent impairment.
What are the signs to look for? "Because fluctuations
in blood sugar levels can temporarily affect vision, it's
sometimes hard to know if a serious eye problem is developing,"
says Dr. Wilhelm. "If you notice a vision change in one eye,
or a change that lasts more than a day or two, call your Eye
M.D."
When Should I Be Tested?
It's important for all healthy adults over age
45 to have a blood-sugar test about every three years to screen
for diabetes. If you're diagnosed with diabetes, schedule
eye exams once a year, or as often as your Eye M.D. suggests,
and keep your blood sugar under good control through diet
and exercise.
For written information or any questions regarding
diabetes and your vision, individuals can call Michigan Eye
Care Specialists at 332.6523, or myeyecarecenter.com
on the internet.
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