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 CHICAGO – 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 this week 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 – and 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 Continue reading >>
Everything You Need To Know About Diabetic Eye Disease
Diabetic retinopathy causes more losses of vision worldwide than any other eye disease, affecting 33% of the 285 million individuals suffering from diabetes.1 It is absolutely essential that your patients with diabetic eye disease are educated about, and understand, this disease. This article aims to do just that. Q: What is diabetic eye disease? Anyone with diabetes can develop diabetic eye disease. Between 40% and 45% of those diagnosed with diabetes have some degree of eye disease. Patients with type 2 diabetes must take special care of their vision because they are at an increased risk for developing diabetic eye disease—any of a collection of eye problems, each of which can lead to partial or complete vision loss. Diabetic eye diseases include diabetic retinopathy, cataract, and glaucoma.2 Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the blood vessels in the retina. Cataract is the clouding of the lens of the eye. Glaucoma refers to increased pressure in the eye, which causes nerve damage. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common form of diabetic eye disease, and it is the number-one cause of blindness in adults living in the United States.1 The condition results from changes in the blood vessels of the retina, which is the layer of cells at the back of the eye that are sensitive to light. Sometimes the blood vessels in the retina swell and begin to leak fluid. Often, abnormal blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. The longer that you have diabetes, the more likely it is that you will develop diabetic retinopathy. Q: What are the symptoms of diabetic eye disease? Typically, you will not have any symptoms in the very early stages of diabetic retinopathy. You will not experience any pain, and your vision will not change until the disease has become severe. You may ex Continue reading >>
Eye Damage With Diabetes
Diabetes that isn't under control can damage your eyes. These are types of eye damage that can occur with diabetes. Swelling of the Eye Lens Blurred vision is a common sign of diabetes that isn't under control. When blood sugar levels are high for a long time, body water is pulled into the lens, causing it to swell. It will take about six weeks, after getting blood sugar levels closer to normal, for the swelling to go away completely. People with diabetes shouldn't get new glasses or contacts until their blood sugar levels have been under good control for at least two months. If you get new glasses or contacts before the swelling goes down, the prescription will fit the swollen eye lens. After the swelling is gone, the prescription won't work any more. Weakened Blood Vessels Even though blurred vision is a sign that something is wrong with the lens of the eye, the worst damage happens to the blood vessels in the retina, in the back of the eye. After many years of high blood sugar levels, the walls of the blood vessels in the retina become weak and thin. The weak areas can bulge out and form pouches called micro-aneurysms. These weak, thinning areas can leak a fatty protein called exudate. If exudate leaks into the center of the retina, in an area called the macula, it will cause swelling, making it hard to see. When this condition goes untreated, it causes changes in your vision that can be permanent. Damage to the Retina Damage can sometimes go unnoticed until it leads to serious vision problems. This damage is called retinopathy, which means disease of the retina. Blood can leak out of the weak blood vessels in the retina and cause hemorrhages, called early diabetes retinopathy or background diabetes retinopathy. The hemorrhages get worse if blood vessels in the eye b Continue reading >>
Diabetic Eye Exam
Annual Dilated Eye Exam for People with Diabetes Make sure you get a dilated eye exam every year. This medical test is in addition to your vision benefit. CDPHP covers dilated eye exams yearly and asordered by your doctor for people with diabetes. Get the Facts! Read Diabetic Eye Care: Fact or Fiction? People with Type I or Type II diabetes are more at risk for vision changes and diabetic retinopathy , a leading cause of vision loss and blindness. Early detection, even before symptoms develop, improves your chance of controlling eye disease or blindness. Make sure you get a full dilated eye exam at least once a year, even if your blood sugar is under control and in normal range. This test is covered under your medical benefit and is in addition to your vision benefit. Your eye doctor will use special eye drops to enlarge your pupils, allowing him or her to see the back of your eyes. These drops and the eye exam are painless, but your vision will be blurred and your eyes will be sensitive to bright light for a few hours after the exam. You may need someone to drive you home. Do I have diabetic retinopathy? If so, what stage? Is there anything I can do to lower my risk of developing retinopathy or slow its progress? Do my blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol numbers meet the levels recommended to lower my risk for eye disease? When should I return for another eye exam? Keep Your Medical History and Health Care Team Up to Date After your eye exam, complete the Eye Care Tracking Form and either give it to your primary care physician or have your eye doctor fax it to your physician's office. Get the latest health news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter! Continue reading >>
Diabetic Retinopathy
According to the National Eye Institute, it is estimated that nearly 5.4 million Americans, ages 18 and over currently have diabetic retinopathy. This eye disease causes over 8000 cases of new blindness annually, and is the primary cause of blindness for people ages 25 to 74 (Valero and Drouilhet, 2001). Every patient with diabetes needs a dilated eye exam at least once a year. What is diabetic retinopathy? Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness in American adults. In the majority of diabetic retinopathy cases, blindness is completely preventable. Patients will need to work closely with their Thomas Eye Group diabetic retina eye doctors to monitor and treat this disease. The use of medications and daily blood sugar monitoring can make a major impact on preventing or containing any worsening of diabetic retinopathy. The retina is the like the film in a camera; the light sensing film on the inside, back of the eye that captures the images. In the diabetic, sugar (glucose) builds up within blood vessels in the retina and tissues of the body causing it to attach to the proteins in the wall. This alters the vessel’s normal structure and functioning. The vessels eventually get blocked and leak fluid. When they cannot deliver an adequate amount of blood supply to the eye, the eye can generate abnormal new blood vessels. Early diabetic retinopathy usually has no symptoms. However, worsening diabetic retinopathy can lead to visual loss and blindness. It's important to catch symptoms as early as possible. Thomas Eye Group's eye doctors provide greater Atlanta diabetic retinopathy testing. The stages of diabetic retinopathy are divided into two categories, nonproliferative retinopathy and proliferative retinopathy. Nonproliferative Retinopathy This is the first and Continue reading >>
20/20 Vision? Why You Still Need An Eye Exam
At a routine eye exam, Aetna employee Francis Russo was surprised when his doctor asked him if he had a history of high blood pressure. “Being an athletic 20-something, I thought he was nuts,” Francis says. “But I went for a general checkup anyway, and he was right: I needed medication.” Through some lifestyle changes, Francis was later able to go off the medicine. But without that comprehensive eye exam, he never would have known his blood pressure was an issue. For more important preventive care tests and screenings, see our handy checklist. A window to your wellbeing The eye provides doctors a clear view of blood vessels, so an eye exam can tell you a lot about your general health. “Our eyes are amazing — they offer a unique view into the human body,” explains John Lahr, MD, medical director with EyeMed Vision Care, which provides administrative services for Aetna’s vision plans. “A thorough exam can spot serious problems such as diabetes, lupus, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration.” With regular eye exams, you may catch these problems earlier and avoid serious complications. Learn how some habits help protect your eyes and your overall health. How often should you go? If you don’t have any symptoms or vision problems, doctors recommend getting regular eye exams based on your age: Age Frequency 20’s-30’s every 5 years 40-54 2-4 years 55-64 1-3 years 65+ 1-2 years You’ll want to have your eyes checked more often if you wear glasses or contact lenses, have a family history of eye disease, or have a chronic condition that puts you at risk for eye disease, like diabetes. For kids under age 3, a pediatrician can look for common childhood problems like a lazy eye or crossed eyes. It’s Continue reading >>
Why Do You Need Regular Eye Exams?
A complete eye exam by a Horizon Eye Care specialist can provide early diagnosis and prevention of sight-threatening problems. Eye doctors are often the first to diagnose chronic systemic diseases. According to a recent study by Vision Service Plan, indications of high cholesterol were found on an eye exam 65 percent of the time. For diabetes, it was 20 percent of the time; for hypertension, 30 percent. The National Institutes of Health estimates 2.3 million Americans suffer from glaucoma, and an additional 2 million have the disease but don’t know it. Some diseases can only be diagnosed by eye doctors. Many issues can be prevented by appropriate care, good control of one’s health, regular screening eye exams and referrals to our specialists when needed. Doctors at Horizon Eye Care are specialists in comprehensive eye exams, with fellowship-trained, sub-specialty care in all areas of eye disease. You benefit from state-of-the-art equipment, some found only at large academic centers, that aids in the diagnosis and management of all types of diseases and vision problems. Types of eye screenings Diabetic eye screenings are strongly recommended every year if you have diabetes, which makes you particularly susceptible to many eye conditions. Horizon Eye Care doctors are specially trained to diagnosis damage to the retina’s blood vessels caused by diabetic retinopathy. If significant retinopathy is discovered during your routine eye exam, you will be referred to our retinal clinic that specializes in treating diabetic eye diseases. Diabetes damages the retina’s blood vessels known as diabetic retinopathy. Although there are no symptoms early in diabetic retinopathy, as the disease advances your vision will be blurred or you may see spots in your field of vision caused Continue reading >>
Diabetes And Diabetic Retinopathy: Q&a
Q&A Menu To find the Q&As most helpful to you, please click on one of these subjects: How Does Diabetes Affect Eyes? Q: How does diabetes affect your eyes? — L.L., Connecticut A: Diabetes causes problems in the retina with what are collectively called microvascular abnormalities. The small blood vessels develop microaneurysms and leak blood. New blood vessel growth (neovascularization) occurs. Unfortunately, these blood vessels are weak and also leak. These leaks (hemorrhages) can cause irreversible damage to the retina and permanent vision loss. Patients with controlled diabetes do better than those with uncontrolled diabetes. However, even a person whose diabetes is under perfect control can still develop diabetic retinopathy — hence, the need for yearly retinal exams. — Dr. Slonim Q: Does diabetic retinopathy get progressively worse? — F.R. A: Yes. When left unrecognized and untreated, diabetic retinopathy can get worse and eventually lead to blindness. Diabetic retinopathy can even get worse despite use of the best treatments that currently exist for it. — Dr. Slonim Q: My father has type 2 diabetes and he is seeing double. We went to the hospital about a week ago and they said the diabetes had affected a nerve on the right eye. Can medicine get his sight back to normal? — W.C. A: Diabetes can affect any one of the three cranial nerves that are responsible for movement of the eyes. Diabetes is one of the more common conditions associated with sixth nerve (Abducens nerve) palsies. Paralysis of this nerve affects the lateral rectus muscle that allows the eye to look outward. There is no specific medicine for this. The paralysis can be temporary and last a few months or it can be permanent. — Dr. Slonim Q: Can diabetes cause you to have eye infections suc Continue reading >>
Diabetic Retinopathy - Exams And Tests
Diabetic retinopathy can be detected during a dilated eye exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. An exam by your primary doctor, during which your eyes are not dilated, is not an adequate substitute for a full exam done by an ophthalmologist. Eye exams for people with diabetes can include: Visual acuity testing. Visual acuity testing measures the eye's ability to focus and to see details at near and far distances. It can help detect vision loss and other problems. Ophthalmoscopy and slit lamp exam. These tests allow your doctor to see the back of the eye and other structures within the eye. They may be used to detect clouding of the lens (cataract), changes in the retina, and other problems. Gonioscopy. Gonioscopy is used to find out whether the area where fluid drains out of your eye (called the drainage angle) is open or closed. This test is done if your doctor thinks you may have glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that can cause blindness by damaging the optic nerve. Tonometry. This test measures the pressure inside the eye, which is called intraocular pressure (IOP). It is used to help detect glaucoma. Diabetes can increase your risk of glaucoma. Your doctor may also do a test called an optical coherence tomography (OCT) to check for fluid in your retina. Sometimes a fluorescein angiogram is done to check for and locate leaking blood vessels in the retina, especially if you have symptoms, such as blurred or distorted vision, that suggest damage to or swelling of the retina. Fundus photography can track changes in the eye over time in people who have diabetic retinopathy and especially in those who have been treated for it. Fundus photography produces accurate pictures of the back of the eye (the fundus). An eye doctor can compare photographs taken at different ti Continue reading >>
Diabetic Eye Disease: Diagnosis, Causes, And Symptoms
By Debra A. Sokol-McKay, MS, CVRT, CDE, CLVT, OTR/L, SCLV Diagnosing Diabetic Eye Disease How Diabetes Affects the Eyes and Vision: Diabetic Retinopathy Eye Examination Guidelines Diagnosing Diabetic Eye Disease Diabetic retinopathy usually has no early warning signs. It can be detected only through a comprehensive eye examination that looks for early signs of the disease, including: Leaking blood vessels Macular edema (swelling) Pale, fatty deposits on the retina Damaged nerve tissue Any changes to the retinal blood vessels To diagnose diabetic eye disease effectively, eye care specialists recommend a comprehensive diabetic eye examination that includes the following procedures: Distance and near vision acuity tests A dilated eye (or fundus) examination, which includes the use of an ophthalmoscope. In a dilated eye examination, it is the pupil that is dilated—not the entire eye. This allows the examiner to see through the pupil to the retina. Visual acuity tests alone are not sufficient to detect diabetic retinopathy in its early stages. A tonometry test to measure fluid pressure inside the eye. A fluorescein angiography test, if more serious retinal changes, such as macular edema, are suspected. Fluorescein angiography is an eye test that uses a special dye and camera to look at blood flow in the retina. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) testing may be used to gain a clearer picture of the retina and its supporting layers. OCT is a type of medical imaging technology that produces high-resolution cross-sectional and three-dimensional images of the eye. Also, an Amsler Grid test can detect early and sometimes subtle visual changes in a variety of macular diseases, including diabetic macular edema. The first image below shows an Amsler Grid as seen with unimpaired vis Continue reading >>
Only Your Eye Doctor Knows For Sure
Going to the doctor, going to the dentist—all part of taking care of your health. But going to the eye doctor? Also important! Eye exams at every age and life stage can help keep your vision strong. Many people think their eyesight is just fine, but then they get that first pair of glasses or contact lenses and the world comes into clearer view—everything from fine print to street signs. Improving your eyesight is important—about 11 million Americans over age 12 need vision correction—but it’s just one of the reasons to get your eyes examined. Regular eye exams are also an important part of finding eye diseases early and preserving your vision. Eye diseases are common and can go unnoticed for a long time—some have no symptoms at first. A comprehensive dilated eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist (eye doctor) is necessary to find eye diseases in the early stages when treatment to prevent vision loss is most effective. During the exam, visual acuity (sharpness), depth perception, eye alignment, and eye movement are tested. Eye drops are used to make your pupils larger so your eye doctor can see inside your eyes and check for signs of health problems. Your eye doctor may even spot other conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, sometimes before your primary care doctor does. May is Healthy Vision Month CDC’s Vision Health Initiative encourages you to make vision health a priority during Healthy Vision Month and all year long. The initiative is a group within CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation that promotes vision and eye health and quality of life by preventing and controlling eye disease, eye injury, and vision loss. Another sight saver: use protective eyewear to avoid injury. 5 Ways to Protect Your Vision Get regular eye exams. Eat Continue reading >>
Hie Multimedia - Diabetes Eye Exams - Lee Memorial Health System
Diabetes also increases your risk of glaucoma and other eye problems. Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can damage the optic nerve. This nerve sends the images you see to your brain. Most often, optic nerve da... You may not know your eyes are harmed until the problem is very bad. Your doctor can catch problems early if you get regular eye exams. This is very important. The early stages of diabetic retinopathy don't cause changes in vision and you won't have symptoms. Only an eye exam can detect the problem, so that steps can be taken to prevent the retinopathy from getting worse. Even if the doctor who takes care of your diabetes checks your eyes, you need an eye exam every 1 to 2 years by an eye doctor who takes care of people with diabetes. An eye doctor has equipment that can check the back of your eye much better than your regular doctor can. If you have eye problems because of diabetes, you will probably see your eye doctor more often. You may need special treatment to prevent your eye problems from getting worse. You may see two different types of eye doctors: An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who is an eye specialist. An optometrist is a doctor of optometry. Once you have eye disease caused by diabetes, you will likely also see an ophthalmologist. The doctor will check your vision using a chart of random letters of different sizes. This is called the Snellen chart. You will then be given eye drops to widen (dilate) the pupils of your eyes so that the doctor can better see the back of the eye. You may feel stinging when the drops are first placed. You may have a metallic taste in your mouth. To see the back of your eye, the doctor looks through a special magnifying glass using a bright light. The doctor can then see areas that may be damaged by dia Continue reading >>
What You Should Know About Diabetes And Eye Exams
Overview Diabetes is a disease that profoundly affects many areas of your body, including your eyes. It increases your risk for eye conditions, such as glaucoma and cataracts. The primary concern for eye health in people with diabetes is the development of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that develops when the blood vessels in your retina become damaged. The retina is the light-sensitive portion of the back of your eye. As the damage worsens, you may begin losing your vision. Your eyesight may become blurry, less intense, and begin to disappear. This condition can affect people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The longer you live with diabetes, the more likely you are to develop complications like diabetic retinopathy. This is why adopting lifestyle changes and learning to manage diabetes is so important. In its earliest stages, diabetic retinopathy may cause no symptoms. The initial symptoms may be barely noticeable or mild. Over time, the condition can worsen and lead to partial and then complete blindness. You should see your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms: floaters, or dots and dark strings, in your field of vision dark or empty areas in your field of vision blurry vision difficulty focusing vision changes that seem to fluctuate altered color vision partial or total vision loss Diabetic retinopathy most often affects both eyes at the same time and in equal measure. If you’re experiencing issues with only one eye, it doesn’t mean you don’t have diabetic retinopathy. However, it might indicate another eye issue. Make an appointment to see your doctor to find an appropriate treatment plan. The buildup of excess sugar in your blood can lead to a number of health issues. In your eyes, too much glucose can damage the tiny ves Continue reading >>
How Do Eye Doctors Check For Diabetic Retinopathy?
Early treatment of serious diabetic retinopathy can improve the chance of saving your sight. For some people, diabetic retinopathy may be one of the first signs that they have diabetes. Adults and children who have diabetes should have a dilated eye exam at least once a year. If you have diabetic retinopathy, you may need to visit an eye doctor more often than once a year. This helps the doctor monitor the disease and determine the best treatment options. The eye doctor can decide if you need an eye exam more often. At a complete eye exam, called a dilated eye exam, the eye doctor widens the pupil of the eye with eye drops to allow a closer look at the inside of the eye. This exam may not be part of an eye exam for a new pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses. Dilated Eye Exam Credit: National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health The blood vessels in the eyes cannot be distinguished from the surrounding structure of the eye in conventional imaging techniques. Doctors can however document potential damage caused by diabetic retinopathy by injecting a substance that "lights up" the veins. This simple procedure provides a clear picture of the retinal blood vessels for diagnosis. Continue reading >>
Diabetes Eye Exams | Multimedia Encyclopedia | Health Information | St. Luke's Hospital
Diabetes also increases your risk of glaucoma and other eye problems. Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can damage the optic nerve. This nerve sends the images you see to your brain. Most often, optic nerve da... You may not know your eyes are harmed until the problem is very bad. Your doctor can catch problems early if you get regular eye exams. This is very important. The early stages of diabetic retinopathy don't cause changes in vision and you won't have symptoms. Only an eye exam can detect the problem, so that steps can be taken to prevent the retinopathy from getting worse. Even if the doctor who takes care of your diabetes checks your eyes, you need an eye exam every 1 to 2 years by an eye doctor who takes care of people with diabetes. An eye doctor has equipment that can check the back of your eye much better than your regular doctor can. If you have eye problems because of diabetes, you will probably see your eye doctor more often. You may need special treatment to prevent your eye problems from getting worse. You may see two different types of eye doctors: An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who is an eye specialist trained to diagnose and treat eye problems. An optometrist is a health care provider trained to diagnose and treat problems with your vision. Many can do screening exams for damage from diabetes. Once you have eye disease caused by diabetes, you need to see an ophthalmologist. The doctor will check your vision using a chart of random letters of different sizes. This is called the Snellen chart. You will then be given eye drops to widen (dilate) the pupils of your eyes so that the doctor can better see the back of the eye. You may feel stinging when the drops are first placed. You may have a metallic taste in your mouth. To see the bac Continue reading >>
