Diabetic Eye Disease
Approximately 29 million Americans age 20 and older have diabetes. Over half of these individuals are at risk for vision loss and other health problems because they don’t know they have the disease.
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 eighteen and older.
Diabetic retinopathy often has no early warning signs. If undetected and untreated, diabetic retinopathy causes the small blood vessels in the back of the eye to leak or burst. Blood leaking into the eye causes clouding and blurry vision in early stages. If treatment is not sought and more leakage occurs, permanent blindness is imminent.
In advanced cases of diabetic retinopathy, laser treatment has been shown to reduce chances of severe vision loss and blindness. This 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.
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.
Early Detection is Important
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 through eye examination including 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 also 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.
More than one third of those diagnosed with diabetes do not receive the recommended vision care and are at risk for going blind. If you have not had dilated exam this year, please schedule one this month. Your vision is worth it.
How much do you know about Diabetic Eye Disease? Take a quiz to find out: http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/ded_quiz/index.asp
For more information about caring for your eyes go to: http://www.aao.org/aao/patients/links/
Rehabilitation Services
Loss of common daily activities such as the inability to drive safely, to read regular print or to watch T.V. can have a horrendous effect on one's life that can lead to job loss or isolation. But low vision rehabilitation is available to help a person preserve her/his quality of life and maintain maximum independence.
There are strategies and various devices that can assist a person in gaining the life style s/he enjoyed prior to vision loss. These include such things as:
- Strategies such as changing the lighting at home or at your job to maximize the vision you have; using color contrasts (e.g. dark table cloth with light dishes); simple labeling techniques (e.g. rubber band around the conditioner, none on shampoo)
- Optical aides such as magnifiers, telescopes, microscopes, electronic magnifiers, and prisms.
- High tech aides such Closed Caption T.V. (CCTV) or reading machines
- Non optical aides such as large print, audio tapes, signature guides
- Computer technology such as special screen magnification devices such as Zoom Text or Magic
The list of strategies and devices are endless. A good website to provide you with low vision resources is the Low Vision Information Center.
If you live in Florida and have vision loss that is causing you problems, you might benefit from one or more of our various programs. These include:
Braille and Talking Book Library Services
The Florida Division of Blind Services provides information and reading materials needed by individuals residing in Florida who are unable to use standard print as the result of visual, physical, or reading disabilities. These services are provided through its Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library Services.
Services to Adults Who Are Faced With Vision Loss and Want to Live Independently
Independent living services are provided to enable individuals who are blind and severely visually impaired to live more independently in their homes and communities with the maximum degree of self-direction. Successful outcomes enable individuals to live more independently in their community and/or transition to the world of work.
Services to Individuals Seeking Employment
Vocational rehabilitation services are provided to assist individuals who have a bilateral visual impairment which constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment; and need services to prepare for, enter or engage in or retain gainful employment. Successful outcomes lead to achievement of employment goals.