Approximately 20.8 million Americans have diabetes.  Almost 1/3 of these people are at risk for vision loss and other health problems because they don't know they have the disease.  More than 1/3 of those diagnosed with diabetes do not adhere to vision care guidelines by obtaining a dilated eye exam every year.

Diabetic eye disease, a group of eye problems that affects those with diabetes, includes diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma.  The most common of these is diabetic retinopathy, which affects 5.3 million Americans age 18 and older.

High blood sugar levels can weaken blood vessels in the eye's retina, causing them to leak blood.  This causes the retina to swell and can lead to vision loss.  Blood sugar fluctuations can also promote growth of new, fragile blood vessels on the retina, which can break easily and leak blood into the vitreous (the clear, jelly-like substance that fills the center of the eye).  This can blur vision and lead to permanent vision impairment.  High blood pressure and smoking can further damage blood vessels, as well.

Early diagnosis of diabetes and, most importantly, effective control of blood sugar and hypertension through diet and exercise can help to reduce the risk of developing eye diseases associated with diabetes.

The longer a person has diabetes, the greater the risk for developing diabetic retinopathy.  However, diabetic retinopathy does not only affect people who have had diabetes for many years, but it also can appear within the first year or two after the onset of the disease.  For some people, diabetic retinopathy is one of the first signs indicating they have diabetes.

Because there are often no early symptoms, your vision may not be affected until the disease is severe and less easily treated.  Once you are diagnosed with diabetes, schedule a thorough eye examination, including a complete dilated exam at least once a year.  Also, make an appointment promptly if you experience blurred vision and/or floaters that:

*  Affect only one eye

*  Last more than a few days

*  Are not associated with a change in blood sugar

Diabetes can affect your vision by causing cataracts and glaucoma.  If you have diabetes, you may get cataracts at a younger age and your chances of developing glaucoma are doubled.

In advance cases of diabetic retinopathy, laser treatment to shrink abnormal blood vessels has been shown to reduce the risk of severe vision loss and blindness.  Laser treatment works better before the fragile, new blood vessels have started to bleed.  This is why it is important to have regular, comprehensive dilated eye exams.  Even if bleeding has started, scatter laser treatment may still be possible, depending on the amount of bleeding.  Individuals interested in more information on this procedure should consult their eye care professional.

Laser surgery does not cure diabetic retinopathy or restore vision that has already been lost, nor does it prevent future vision loss, especially if blood glucose or blood pressure is not well controlled.  Where vision loss and blindness have occurred, Vision Rehabilitation can be of assistance in maintaining or regaining independence and supporting a high quality of life.  The goal of Vision Rehabilitation is to equip people who are visually impaired with the skills and confidence needed to function as independently as possible.  Vision Rehabilitation Services do not cure the cause of low vision, but rather harness the remaining vision to its fullest potential.

If you have diabetes and have not had a dilated exam this year, please schedule one this month.  Your vision is worth it.