11/04/2011 0 Comments

NEW YORK—The latest American Eye-Q consumer survey from the American Optometric Association (AOA) found that 55 percent of people are unaware that diabetic eye disease often has no visual signs or symptoms. Additionally, 44 percent of Americans don't know that a person with diabetes should have a comprehensive eye exam once a year. That’s why this year, professionals throughout the optical industry are placing added focus on November as Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month.

The National Eye Institute (NEI), a part of the National Institutes of Health, is encouraging consumers with diabetes to get annual dilated eye exams and take steps to avoid vision loss and will be providing resources to health professionals and the public to educate and increase awareness of diabetic eye disease through its National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP). By distributing free diabetic eye disease resources to health professionals and community organizations serving people with diabetes, the organization hopes these teaching tools (including cards to promote the Medicare and other educational materials) will benefit those with diabetes.

In addition, Prevent Blindness America (PBA) reported that more than 25 million Americans have diabetes, a disease that is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in those ages 20 and over. “People with diabetes are also twice as likely to develop other eye diseases such as cataract and glaucoma. Fortunately, recent studies have shown that the onset of Type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented and the risk of vision loss reduced through a healthy diet and exercise,” PBA said.

As part of November’s Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month, PBA said it is launching the new campaign “Live Right, Save Sight!” to educate the public on diabetes and its potential effect on vision, as well as healthy choices they can make today to save sight in the future. The campaign will provide free information including risk factors, treatment options and Medicare benefits as well as a dedicated web page at preventblindness.org/diabetes.

Citing the AOA survey, the Minnesota Optometric Association (MOA) is urging Minnesotans living with diabetes to schedule yearly comprehensive eye exams to help detect diabetic eye disease, especially since, according to the organization, the number of people suffering from diabetic eye disease is expected to nearly double by the year 2020.

"When optometrists dilate a patient's eyes during an eye exam, they have a clear view of the retina and can look for indications of diabetic eye disease, such as leaking blood vessels, swelling and deposits within the retina," said Dr. Linda Chous, chief health officer at United Healthcare and past president of MOA. "Optometrists often serve as the first line of detection for diabetes, since the eye is the only place in the body that blood vessels can be seen in their natural condition," she added.

• ‹ previous News Story
• 195 of 903
• next News Story ›