Diabetic Eye Problems Continue to Increase

Diabetic eye problems associated with diabetic eye disease including diabetic retinopathy continue to be a leading cause of vision loss and new cases of blindness according to Prevent Blindness America. According to the Centers for Disease Control, diabetes affects more than 26 million people in the United States. The Prevent Blindness America Vision Problems in the U.S. report identified that there are more than 8 million people ages 40 and older who have diabetic retinopathy which has resulted in diabetes actually being the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults 20-74 years of age. Although there is no cure for diabetic eye disease, annual eye exams for diabetes patients are essential to help slow the progression of the disease. The vision loss from diabetic retinopathy can be prevented if it's caught early and treated in time. More than one third of those diagnosed with diabetes do not adhere to vision care guidelines recommending a dilated eye exam every year. This month, November, in recognition of Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month we are urging people with diabetes to have a dilated eye exam every year. The longer a person has diabetes, the greater his or her risk for developing diabetic retinopathy. However, diabetic retinopathy does not only affect people who have had diabetes for many years, it can also appear within the first year or two after the onset of the disease.

Managing Risk Factors for Diabetic Eye Problems
In addition to having regular eye examinations and testing at the direction of your eye doctor, patients can help to reduce the risk of developing diabetic eye disease by not smoking, controlling their cholesterol and lipid profile and blood pressure, as well as working to eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fish, fruit and green leafy vegetables and exercising. Maintaining a healthy weight level and Body Mass Index (BMI) and avoiding being overweight or obese are also great ways to help control diabetes and prevent diabetic eye problems.

If you or someone you know has diabetes or even elevated blood sugar levels they should work to prevent diabetic eye disease and problems with regular eye exams by calling us at 508-730-2020, visit Center for Sight, Google+ or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver.

Center for Sight is conveniently located at 1565 North Main Street, Suite 406, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 for patients from Massachusetts or Rhode Island.