November is a time to be thankful, but it’s also a time to focus our eyes on something else – Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month. Let’s learn the facts.
Diabetic retinopathy is caused by high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes, which swell blood vessels inside the retina. Obstruction of blood flow allows fluids to leak into the retina, potentially causing blindness.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, approximately 29 million Americans age 20 or older have diabetes, but almost one-third don’t know they have the disease and are at risk for vision loss and other health problems. Symptoms can often go unnoticed and a sufferer’s vision may not be affected until the disease is severe.
Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy may include:
* Difficulty with color perception
* Loss of vision
* Blurred vision
* Empty or dark areas in your vision
* Spots floating in your vision
If you are diabetic, it is imperative to take your prescribed medication, manage a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and steer clear of smoking and alcohol.
Contact your eye doctor right away if you experience blurry, cloudy, or spotty vision. Take prevention seriously: start controlling your blood sugar levels and schedule an annual eye exam.
Delta Dental of Idaho is in partnership with Avesis, a national vision benefits administrator. Take advantage of DeltaVision coverage to keep your vision healthy. Visit http://go.deltadentalid.com/vision-hearing/ to learn more about our plans.