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Millions Don't Know Risk for Diabetic Eye Disease
Even though Americans over the age of 65 are the most at risk for eye disease, a new national survey found that only 10% of those surveyed see themselves at risk. Most feel weight gain or joint and back pain are a bigger concern than blindness and vision loss. Only 15% are able to identify half or more of the risk factors.
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness. With diabetes on the rise, eye disease is not far behind it. By the year 2020, there is projected to be a 65% increase in eye disease. This is a result of America's 78 million aging baby boomers.
The longer a person has diabetes, the higher the risk for developing eye disease. Those diseases include diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness in adults, cataracts, and glaucoma. Even if a person maintains good control over blood sugar levels, there is still an increased risk of disease. However, careful management of blood sugar levels can slow the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic eye disease does not show any early symptoms. Vision may not change until the damage becomes severe. Dilated pupil exams can detect early signs of disease so that treatment can be prescribed. Exams should be done yearly.
Diabetics are also at twice the risk for glaucoma and cataracts. These may also occur at an earlier age. While cataracts are treated with surgery, glaucoma may be treated with medications, laser or other surgery.
"The stark reality is that millions of people will suffer significant vision loss and blindness because they don't know the risks," said H. Dunbar Hoskins Jr., MD, executive vice president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. "Much like regular mammograms and diabetes screenings, eye disease screening will help identify signs of disease at an early stage, when many treatments can have the greatest impact."
For a quiz on diabetic eye disease, go to the National Eye Institute.