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November is Diabetes Eye Awareness Month

As the population ages, diabetes continues to be a growing epidemic in the United States. Currently there are an estimated 17.9 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes, and possibly another 5.7 million people that are unaware they have the disease.

What many of these individuals may not know is that all people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are at risk for bleeding in the back of the eyes, also known as diabetic retinopathy. In fact, bleeding from diabetes is responsible for 8% of legal blindness in the U.S., making it the leading cause of blindness among adults 20-74 years old.

With a dilated, comprehensive eye examination, an eye doctor can detect and diagnose diabetes and start you on the road to treatment for the disease. So a comprehensive eye examination should certainly be on your list as part of National Diabetes Month this November.

The American Diabetes Association recommends all diabetic patients have a dilated eye exam at least once a year with your eye doctor in order to detect any changes early and stop potential vision loss. Patients with a history of retinopathy should be seen more often than once a year.

The eye is the only part of the body where we can observe your blood vessels without cutting you open. When there is leakage or damage to the blood vessels in the eye, there are likely similar findings in the brain, heart, lungs and kidneys.

Unfortunately, in many cases there are no detectable symptoms of early stage diabetic retinopathy. Some symptoms, however, include blurred vision, a droopy eyelid, spots missing from your vision or double vision.

If you have diabetes and have been putting off an eye exam, use this month as your reason to have one. At our office, an exam with dilation lasts only an hour, with complete and comprehensive care for any of your eye conditions. We accept most major medical insurance to complete this important and necessary exam, so call today and schedule your peace of mind.

Tags: A1C, blindness, diabetes, eye doctor, eye exam, optometrist

Posted in: Eye Health

Too Many Diabetics Neglect Simple Tests to Control Their Disease

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the United States, and most of these sight-stealing cases can be attributed to neglecting their disease. Unfortunately, new research has shown that the next generation of diabetic patients aren’t likely to fare much better.

A new study in the journal of Pediatrics reports that young Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics are not getting routine tests, such as eye exams, needed to properly manage their disease – setting them up for many future complications.

The most staggering statistic is that one third of those surveyed had not undergone routine eye exams nor had tests of long-term blood sugar control – both recommended by the American Diabetic Association (ADA).

Unlike a simple blood sugar test, a hemoglobin A1C test gives a snapshot of a patient’s blood sugar over the previous three months, a much better indicator of long term control. The ADA recommends this test every six months.

The ADA also says patients should have a routine eye exam from their optometrist or ophthalmologist at least once a year – but 34% of diabetic respondents had not had this crucial exam. The eye is unique in that it is the only place in the body where a doctor can see your blood vessels without cutting you open.

Diabetes is ultimately a disease of the blood vessels where blood cannot nourish your body and instead leaks out where the arteries meet the veins. This lack of nourishment can harm limbs, shut down organs and cause blindness.

The ADA guidelines are the most widely accepted method to control diabetes and prevent damage caused by this disease. Diabetes, for the most part, cannot be cured, only managed. The first steps are though routine medical exams, physical activity and a healthy diet.

Tags: A1C, blindness, diabetes, eye doctor, eye exam, optometrist

Posted in: Eye Health

Lipitor May Help Prevent Blindness

For more than seven years, Lipitor has been the number one pharmaceutical sold in America. Now, new studies have shown that this cholesterol-lowering drug may also reduce blindness.

Researchers at the University of Georgia found that Lipitor can prevent free radicals in the retina from killing nerves important to maintaining vision.

This is especially helpful in patients with Diabetes, the leading cause of blindness in the country. Uncontrolled diabetes and excessive glucose can induce free radicals which go on to damage the retina and ultimately take away vision.

These findings have implications not only for the eye, but also for other parts of the body where nerves are affected by diabetes and free radicals.

Obviously controlling your diabetes through diet, exercise and medication is the first step to preserving your sight. But this study shows that previously unknown mechanisms may also be beneficial.

This information is brought to you by Clarin Eye Care. Please call or contact our office for more information.

Tags: blindness, diabetes, eyecare, free radicals, lipitor, optometrist, vision

Posted in: Uncategorized

Diabetes Is On The Rise

Diabetes is the number one cause of blindness in America today, which is why the American Diabetic Association recommends a comprehensive eye exam every year by your eye care provider.

Some examples of the changes that we see are bleeding and leaking from the small blood vessels in the retina as well as changes to your eyeglass prescription, both caused by uncontrolled blood- sugar levels. Many times it is your eye doctor who first uncovers the signs that ultimately lead to the diagnosis of diabetes.

According to a new report from the CDC, the number of cases of diabetes may triple by the year 2050, to the point where 1 in 3 Americans will have the disease. This is mainly fueled by:

1. An aging population – The number of adults ages 65 and older are expected to climb from 38.7 million in 2008 to 88.5 million by 2050. Also, a confounding factor is that type 2 diabetes is on the rise in younger people, especially adolescents. This group was rarely affected in the past, but lifestyle factors like obesity and a lack of exercise are mostly to blame for the increase.

2. Minority populations are increasing – African-Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, and Asian-Americans have the highest risk of developing type 2 diabetes. African-Americans, for example, are twice as likely to be diagnosed as non-Hispanic whites. They’re also more likely to suffer complications.

3. People with diabetes are living longer - This is mostly due to better medical care. Public health campaigns and greater emphasis on diabetes education have also likely contributed. With more awareness and better care, the number of undiagnosed cases has also fallen.

Diabetes is a life-altering disease. It is important that you take it seriously and always follow your doctor’s recommendations. Our office is here to help in any way we can, from simple discussions about the effects of diabetes to an in depth examinations of your retina. We are here for you today and into the future.

This information is brought to you by Clarin Eye Care Center. Please call or contact our office for more information.

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Tags: blindness, Blood sugar, care, clarin eye care, diabetes, Diabetes mellitus, dr. clarin, eye, eye care, eye doctor, eye exam, optometrist, optometry, vision, vision care, vision correction, vision loss

Posted in: Uncategorized

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