Protecting Your Vision: An Overview Of Diabetes And Eye Health

Blood sugar control is key for eye health in patients with diabetes, says David Benderson, M.D., an ophthalmologist with Valley Medical Group in Ridgewood, NJ.

Newswise, November 30, 2016 — Loss of vision is one of the many dreaded complications of diabetes. Over 5.3 million Americans suffer from diabetes-related retinal disease or diabetic retinopathy. After 20 years of living with diabetes, nearly all type 1 diabetics will have some degree of diabetic retinopathy, as will approximately 60 percent of type 2 diabetics. Some of these patients will experience significant vision loss.

If you think of the eye as a camera, the retina is the film. This important structure translates images into electrical signals, which are then sent to your brain for processing. High blood sugar levels associated with diabetes damage small blood vessels throughout the body, including the retina. Advanced diabetic retinopathy can cause a devastating form of glaucoma due to growth of unhealthy blood vessels on the iris (neovascular glaucoma). 

Elevated blood sugar can also result in swelling of the lens, which can temporarily change a patient’s glasses prescription, resulting in blurry vision.

Once the blood sugar is controlled, the lens swelling resolves. Additionally, diabetics are at a higher risk for developing cataracts, or permanent clouding of the lens.

A multi-pronged approach is necessary to prevent and treat diabetic eye disease. To begin with, it is essential that diabetics work closely with their primary care physician and, in many cases, endocrinologist, to keep their blood sugar under good control.

Other health care providers, such as nurse educators and nutritionists serve an essential role in diabetes management. Large studies have shown that tight control of blood sugar reduces the risk of diabetic complications, including retinopathy.

Furthermore, diabetics should undergo a complete eye examination, including dilation (in order to view the retina and other structures) on a yearly basis. If a diabetic patient develops diabetic retinopathy, more frequent examination may be necessary.

If macular edema or proliferative diabetic retinopathy develop, early diagnosis and treatment is essential to preserving vision. Conversely, if a diabetic patient waits until they have vision loss to visit the doctor, treatment may be less effective.

Ultimately, prevention is the best tool to combat diabetic eye disease. Effective control of blood sugar and blood pressure, maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle, and regular follow-up with a primary care physician and ophthalmologist are key elements in avoiding vision loss from diabetes.

Sixty Percent Of Americans With Diabetes Skip Annual Sight-Saving Exams

American Academy of Ophthalmology reiterates the importance of dilated eye exams in preventing vision loss...This is especially timely as the Academy is reiterating the importance of eye exams during the month of November, which is observed as Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month.

 

Newswise, October 26, 2016– People with diabetes are at increased risk of developing serious eye diseases, yet most do not have sight-saving annual eye exams, according to a large study presented at AAO 2016, the 120th annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

This is especially timely as the Academy is reiterating the importance of eye exams during the month of November, which is observed as Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month.

Researchers at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia have found that more than half of patients with the disease skip these exams. They also discovered that patients who smoke as well as those with less severe diabetes and no 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:

• Fifty-eight percent of patients did not have regular follow-up eye exams
• Smokers were 20 percent less likely to have exams
• Those with less-severe disease and no eye problems were least likely to follow recommendations
• Those who had diabetic retinopathy were 30 percent more likely to have follow-up exams

One 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 often can prevent 95 percent of diabetes-related vision loss.

Eye exams are critical as they can reveal hidden signs of disease, enabling timely treatment. This is why the Academy recommends people with diabetes have them annually or more often as recommended by their ophthalmologist, a physician who specializes in medical and surgical eye care.

“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.”

The Academy has released a new animated public service announcement to help educate people about the importance of regular exams and common eye diseases including diabetic retinopathy. It encourages the public to watch and share it with their friends and family.

“People with diabetes need to know that they shouldn't wait until they experience problems to get these exams,” Rahul N. Khurana, M.D, clinical spokesperson for the Academy. “Getting your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist can reveal the signs of disease that patients aren’t aware of.”

American seniors 65 and older may be eligible to get a medical eye exam at no cost through Eye Care America, a public service program of the Academy. For more information about diabetic eye disease, visit the Academy’s EyeSmart website.

Nonadherence to Eye Care in People with Diabetes was presented at AAO 2016, the 120th annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

The event was held in conjunction with the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Oct. 14-18 at McCormick Place, Chicago. Known as the place "Where all of Ophthalmology Meets™,” the Academy’s annual meeting is the world’s largest conference for eye physicians and surgeons. For more information, see AAO 2016 highlights.

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public. We innovate to advance our profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care. Our EyeSmart® program provides the public with the most trusted information about eye health. For more information, visit aao.org.