Did you know that diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in American adults? November is Diabetes-Related Eye Disease Month
Brought to you by the North Texas Eye Research Institute
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2020, shows that 34.2 million Americans have diabetes and 88 million American adults have prediabetes. Alarmingly, more people are developing type 1 and type 2 diabetes during youth, and racial and ethnic minorities continue to develop type 2 diabetes at higher rates. The CDC also states that diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults.
Diabetes-related eye disease refers to eye problems that people with diabetes may face as a complication of the disease. Diabetes-related retinopathy (DR) is a disease that damages the blood vessels of the eye, causing them to leak and bleed into the retina. Individuals may not experience symptoms in the early stages of DR, which is why it is important for individuals with diabetes to have an eye exam annually, or as directed by their doctor.
If diabetes-related retinopathy is left untreated, fluid can leak into the center of the macula, called the fovea, the part of the eye where sharp, straight-ahead vision occurs. The fluid makes the macula swell, blurring vision. This condition is called diabetes-related macular edema. It can occur at any stage of diabetic retinopathy, although it is more likely to occur as the disease progresses. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, finding and treating diabetic retinopathy early can reduce the risk of blindness by 95 percent.
Other eye conditions common among people living with diabetes include cataract and glaucoma.
If you are a diabetic and have not had your annual eye exam, schedule one at UNTHSC Optometry Clinic by calling 817-735-2228.
Source: https://preventblindness.org/diabetes-related-eye-disease-month-2020/
For more information, visit:
https://medialibrary.nei.nih.gov/sites/default/files/media-images/NEI-medialibrary-6241697.jpg
https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/complications/eye-complications