This year’s theme for National Diabetes Month is “Stay one step ahead of diabetic eye disease.”
Health professionals and community leaders are asked to encourage people to take steps to protect their vision.“As a vision care provider, it is my duty to educate patients and their families on how to protect and improve their vision,” says Dr. Stewart Shofner.
How Does Diabetes Affect Vision? It’s a common question, as some may not relate blood sugar levels to vision problems. Diabetes can cause changes in the blood vessels of the retina, like swelling and leakage or the creation of new blood vessels. It’s important to know that Diabetic eye disease often has no early warning signs. Finding retinal disorders as early as possible is critical to potentially preventing serious disease progression and even vision loss. Hence why it’s imperative that those who are pre-diabetic or have diabetes get a comprehensive, dilated eye exam at least once a year.
How is Diabetic Eye Disease Detected? - Digital retinal imaging uses high-resolution imaging systems to take pictures of the inside of your eye. This helps vision care professionals assess the health of your retina and helps them to detect and manage such eye and health conditions as glaucoma, diabetes, and macular degeneration. Finding retinal disorders as early as possible is critical to potentially preventing serious disease progression and even vision loss.
In effort with the National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP), Shofner Vision Center will continue to spread awareness through our newsletter and social media outlets about eye health and help promote the following message among people with diabetes:
People with diabetes need to get a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year and keep their health on TRACK to prevent vision loss.
Scheduling a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year is a vital part of that care, considering potential eye complications such as cataracts, macular swelling, and optic nerve damage. Shofner Vision Center will provide consistent and mindful care to help diabetic patients keep their vision and treat impairment. Contact your local vision care center professional or if you are in the Nashville area, contact Dr. Shofner at (615) 340-4733.
Share and use these hash tags below to help spread this important awareness. #visionontrack, #DiabetesAwarenessMonth, #diabeticeyediseaseawarenessmonth, #diabetes.