According to a large study, people with diabetes are at increased risk of developing serious eye diseases, yet most do not have annual comprehensive eye exams. This is especially timely as November represents the observance of Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month.
Researchers at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia have found that more than half of patients with diabetic related eye disease skip these exams. They also discovered that patients who smoke and those with less severe diabetes, with no current eye problems were most likely to neglect having these checks.
The researchers collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to review the charts of close to 2,000 patients age 40 or older with type 1 and type 2 diabetes to see how many had regular eye exams. Their findings over a four-year period revealed that:
1 in 10 Americans have diabetes, putting them at heightened risk for visual impairment due to the eye disease diabetic retinopathy. The disease also can lead to other blinding ocular complications if not treated in time. Fortunately, having a dilated eye exam yearly or more frequently can prevent 95 percent of diabetes-related vision loss.
Comprehensive eye exams are critical as they can reveal hidden signs of disease, enabling timely treatment.
“Vision loss is tragic, especially when it is preventable,” said Ann P. Murchison, M.D., M.P.H., lead author of the study and director of the eye emergency department at Wills Eye Hospital. “That’s why we want to raise awareness and ensure people with diabetes understand the importance of regular eye exams.”
If you have diabetes, please know you shouldn’t wait until you experience problems before getting an exam. Getting your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist can reveal the signs of disease long before patients begin noticing any visual ailments.
Here at Heartland Eye Care, our beloved Dr. Rita Tablante specializes in diseases of the retina, including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and retinal vascular disease. She also practices general ophthalmology.
Please feel free to reach out if you’d like to schedule an appointment with us for a full comprehensive medical eye exam.
