Diabetic Retinopathy: Why You Should Care

Don’t Have Diabetes? Arm Yourself with Information! Simple Steps Can Protect Your Health & Vision.

How Diabetes Affects Eyes
Prevent Blindness America has warn Americans of the potentially blinding effects of diabetic retinopathy. This disease is the leading cause of new blindness cases among adults aged 20-74. Up to 24,000 Americans

are blinded by diabetic retinopathy each year. The American Optometric Association predicts that by 2050, the number of Americans over 40 years old with diabetic retinopathy will triple to 16 million.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that allows the body to use blood sugar for energy. It is characterized by high levels of blood sugar, which can cause changes in the blood vessels of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that is necessary for good vision.
Testing Is Essential

The only way that diabetic retinopathy can be diagnosed is through a comprehensive eye exam. Diabetics are sometimes first diagnosed in an optometrist’s office when diabetic retinopathy is discovered.

Al learned that he was one of the 40 to 45 percent of diabetics who already have some degree of retinopathy at the time of their diabetes diagnosis.


Who Is at Risk?

All people with diabetes, including those with Type I (juvenile onset) and Type II (adult onset), are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. The longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to develop it. There is a genetic component to this disease, as well. If your grandmother had diabetic retinopathy, for example, your risk is higher.

Diabetic retinopathy can begin without any warning symptoms, which makes a yearly comprehensive eye exam even more critical for diabetics.

Read the original Article published on davisvision.com
Save Your Vision

In order to prevent vision loss, early diagnosis and aggressive treatment of diabetic retinopathy are essential. The risk of blindness can be reduced by 90% with timely treatment and follow- up care. Vision that has already been lost, however, cannot be restored.
Protect Yourself

Prevention is the key to saving sight that might be lost due to late diagnosis.

It is also important to have your blood glucose level tested regularly to determine if you are one of the 54 million people between the ages of 40 and 74 who have pre-diabetes, which would put you at risk for developing Type II diabetes.

If you have diabetes, you can avoid eye problems by controlling your blood sugar and blood pressure levels and by obtaining regular comprehensive eye exams.

Your vision is priceless and it is important that you maintain your visual wellness by scheduling a yearly comprehensive eye exam with your optometrist or ophthalmologist. Drop into 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore for all your child’s eye care needs. We have a frame for every face and a price for any budget. We also have Independent Optometrists located on site who will be happy to examine your child’s vision. Walk-in’s are welcome but we ask that you come 15 minutes prior to your desired appointment time.

Make an appointment At 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore if you have any of the following symptoms:
• Blurry vision
• Difficulty reading
• Sudden loss of vision in one eye
• Seeing rings around lights
• Seeing dark spots or flashing lights

We Look Forward Seeing You!!