November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. If you have uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus, your vision is at risk. Early detection is the key to saving your vision.
How prevalent is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Worldwide, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among working-aged adults.
The global burden of diabetic retinopathy includes:
387 million people with diabetes mellitus (DM) in the world, estimated to increase to 592 million people in 2035.
93 million people with diabetic retinopathy
Affects 1 out of 3 persons with diabetes mellitus
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR): 17 million people
Diabetic macular edema: 21 million people
Vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy: 28 million people
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
People with diabetes can have an eye disease called diabetic retinopathy. This is when high blood sugar levels cause damage to blood vessels in the retina. These blood vessels can swell and leak. Or they can close, stopping blood from passing through. Sometimes abnormal new blood vessels grow on the retina. All of these changes can steal your vision.
Points to Remember
Diabetic eye disease comprises a group of eye conditions that affect people with diabetes. These conditions include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema (DME), cataract, and glaucoma.
All forms of diabetic eye disease have the potential to cause severe vision loss and blindness.
Diabetic retinopathy involves changes to retinal blood vessels that can cause them to bleed or leak fluid, distorting vision.
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes and a leading cause of blindness among working-age adults.
DME is a consequence of diabetic retinopathy that causes swelling in the area of the retina called the macula.
Controlling diabetes—by taking medications as prescribed, staying physically active, and maintaining a healthy diet—can prevent or delay vision loss.
Because diabetic retinopathy often goes unnoticed until vision loss occurs, people with diabetes should get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year.
Early detection, timely treatment, and appropriate follow-up care of diabetic eye disease can protect against vision loss.
Diabetic retinopathy can be treated with several therapies, used alone or in combination.
Be thankful for the vision you have. Preventive care is the key. See your local Optometrist every 6 to 12 months for a comprehensive dilated exam!
