November is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month
Did you know people with diabetes are more likely to develop blinding eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) diabetes affects over 34.2 million Americans with an estimated 88 million more Americans having prediabetes. While 23.1 million of these cases are diagnosed, 7.3 million remain undiagnosed.
Many people understand that diabetes is a prevalent and damaging disease, however, not many understand the effect it can have on their vision and overall eye health if left untreated. According to the American Optometric Association, diabetes is the leading cause of vision loss among American adults under the age of 74. This is due to a complication known as diabetic retinopathy, which is a serious sight-threatening complication of diabetes. If untreated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to permanent vision loss and blindness.
The beginning stages of diabetic retinopathy may cause blurriness in your vision, or it may produce no visual symptoms at all. It mainly depends on where the blood vessel changes are taking place in your eye’s retina. As diabetic retinopathy progresses, you may notice cloudiness in your vision, blind spots, or floaters. This is usually caused by blood leaking from abnormal new vessels which block light from reaching your retina.
Have no fear! Not every patient with diabetes develops retinopathy. Maintaining blood sugar at desired levels will help delay retinal changes. Other important steps to prevent retinopathy include:
-Taking your prescribed medication as instructed
-Follow a proper diet
-Exercise regularly
-Have you eye examined regularly
If you need to schedule your regular eye exam, give our office a call at 608-782-7127 or schedule directly on our website!
References: https://www.woa-eyes.org/Nov_%202020%20PR%20-%20Diabetes%20Awareness.pdf