American Academy Of Ophthalmology Urges Diabetics To Get Their Eyes Screened To Avoid Complications And Vision Loss Of Diabetic Retinopathy

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Also Included In: Diabetes
Article Date: 09 Nov 2007 - 8:00 PDT

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With diabetes rates continuing to rise in America, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is calling for screenings for diabetic retinopathy during November's Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness month. The disease affects 5.3 million Americans. People with diabetes are 25 times more likely to become blind than those who do not have the illness. Loss of vision can often be prevented or reduced if the disease is detected and treated early.

The disease, a complication of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, is a degenerative disease of the retina (the area at the back of the eye that makes clear, central vision possible.) Sometimes people learn they are diabetic when an ophthalmologist's exam finds diabetic retinopathy.

High blood sugar levels have been linked to eye blood vessel abnormalities that result in a range of diabetic retinopathy symptoms. In the early phase, some patients may notice only mild or no changes in their vision. Since damage from the disease often develops slowly, early detection and treatment can make a crucial difference in preserving vision.

Careful control of blood sugar may prevent and in some cases even reverse early damage from diabetic retinopathy. Beyond this, ophthalmologists can provide effective treatments for retinopathy, including laser photocoagulation for early to moderate stages, and a microsurgery called vitrectomy when the disease has caused extensive damage to the eye. Injectable and oral medications that act on abnormal blood vessels and could control diabetic retinopathy before vision loss occurs are now in development. Early detection is key to the optimal effectiveness of these approaches.

Patients can go to http://www.geteyesmart.org to get more information. The Academy also recommends a baseline eye exam at age 40 for everyone not at risk for eye disease.

American Academy Of Ophthalmology