Are you one of the 29 million Americans that have diabetes? During November's Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Carolina Ophthalmology Associates want to remind those with diabetes to protect their vision by having a dilated eye exam every year.
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of legal blindness among working-age Americans.
Each year 12,000 to 24,000 people lose their sight due to diabetes. This includes people as young as 18 years old.
Diabetic retinopathy can also appear within the first year or two after the onset of the disease. For some people, diabetic retinopathy is one of the first signs they have diabetes.
Pregnant women with diabetes should have an eye exam in the first trimester – since diabetic eye disease can progress rapidly during pregnancy.
If you're diagnosed with diabetes, be sure to schedule a complete dilated eye exam once a year. Don’t smoke and keep your blood sugar under control through diet and exercise. Remember, it's your sight for life.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment