Posted by: Clemson Eye in News
The Easley Progress, June 2015
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in South Carolina and the state has the sixth highest rate of diabetes among adults. Although awareness of diabetes has increased, the impact on visual health is less well known.
Diabetes is a factor in a number of serious eye conditions. According to the American Diabetes Association, if you have diabetes, you are:
- 40 percent more likely to have glaucoma. Glaucoma is caused by pressure building up in the eye. Because it has no symptoms, glaucoma often is not identified until it is advanced and the vision loss is irreparable.
- 60 percent more likely to have cataracts. Cataract treatment for non-diabetics is a very safe and common procedure. However, for diabetics with retinal disorders, cataract surgery can be more complex.
- At extremely high risk of developing a series of related conditions under an umbrella of eye conditions called “Diabetic Retinopathy.” These conditions are caused by high sugar or glucose levels damaging blood vessels in the eye and potentially spurring the formation of microaneurysms.
Ophthalmologist Dr. Brian Johnson of Clemson Eye’s Easley clinic says diabetes “is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adult patients. Eye diseases and conditions related to diabetes can be treated and damage prevented,” he says, “but early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.”
“As the prevalence of diabetes grows,” says Dr. Johnson, “it is more important than ever for us to educate the public on the importance of regular eye exams, as well as nutrition and lifestyle factors.”
Almost 40 percent of diabetics in South Carolina do not get an annual eye exam, according to the Center for Disease Control. This is particularly important in the Upstate, Dr. Johnson says, where the diabetes rate across four counties is 11.6 percent, compared with the U.S. average of 9.3 percent. “We have more people at risk here,” he says.
This table shows the recommended schedule for initial and follow-up examinations based on the time of the onset of diabetes.
Source: American College of Physicians, American Diabetes Association, American Academy of Ophthalmology: Screening guidelines for diabetic retinopathy, Clinical Guideline. Ophthalmology 1992; 99:1626-1628.
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