November Is Diabetes Awareness Month
November is national diabetes month! Help us spread awareness about this ever-growing disease, and help show support for those whose lives are impacted by it!
Diabetes Contributes To A Number Of Eye Problems
Glaucoma
People with diabetes are 40% more likely to suffer from glaucoma than people without the disease.
Cataracts
Although many people without diabetes develop cataracts at some point in their life, those with diabetes are 60% more likely to get cataracts. Cataracts also tend to develop earlier, and progress faster, if you have diabetes.
Retinopathy
Blood vessels flowing to the retina may be impaired and damaged by high levels of blood sugar. Diabetic retinopathy accounts for 12% of all new cases of blindness in the US. It is also the leading cause of blindness for people ages 20 to 64 years.
More Eye Health Information For Those With Diabetes
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What Experiences Have You Had Working With Diabetic Patients?
“I’ve seen quite a few of diabetic patients in my 10 years of practice. The biggest challenge for me is to tell my patients that they have to see a primary care physician to check for diabetes because there is bleeding in their retinas or neovascularization in their iris. Sometimes, the patients will not believe what I tell them until they see their primary care physician and have their blood work done. Once they do this, they come back and appreciate what I’ve told them. The other challenge is to have patients understand that their blood sugar can change their refraction tremendously and that they need to keep it under control or else their refraction will be not be correct.”
Janine T. Nguyen, O.D.
Help Us Raise Awareness
We are posting informational flyers in all of the exam rooms, along with a bulletin board for even further information. Our doctors are discussing early symptoms as preventative measures.
This Month, Help Us Raise Awareness About Diabetes-Related Eye Conditions
Most of us know at least one person who is impacted by this disease. If you have a friend, family member, neighbor, or coworker who has diabetes, share this information with them! It’s essential that they have routine eye exams and get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year.