November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and did you know that diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in adults? Here are 5 things you should know Diabetic Eye Disease that affect millions of people every day from the National Eye Institute.
Get a Dilated Eye Exam – If you have diabetes, be sure to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. Diabetic eye diseases can be detected early and treated before noticeable vision loss occurs.
Have Diabetes? You are at Risk – Anyone with diabetes is at risk of getting diabetic retinopathy. The longer you have diabetes, the more like you will get this eye disease. 40-45% of those with diabetes will have some degree of diabetic retinopathy.
No Symptoms, No Pain – In its early stage, diabetic retinopathy has no symptoms. you may not notice vision changes until the disease advances.
Other Vision Problems – If you have diabetes, you may face several eye problems as a complication as well. Including cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, which is the leading cause of blindness in adults.
Stay on TRACK
Take your medications as prescribed.
Reach and maintain a healthy weight.
Add more physical acitivty to your daily routine.
Control your ABC’s (A1C, blood pressure, cholesterol).
