Diabetes: A Top Cause of Blindness Among Adults

MOA Home

< MOA Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:
The Michigan Optometric Association
O: 517.482.0616

Diabetes: A Top Cause of Blindness Among Adults

The Michigan Optometric Association reminds Michigan residents of the importance of comprehensive eye exams during November’s National Diabetes Month

To commemorate National Diabetes Awareness Month, optometrists from the Michigan Optometric Association (MOA) are calling for Michigan residents with diabetes to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam to detect early signs of diabetes and ensure healthy vision.

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the United States in adults aged 20-74.

“Optometrists can serve as the first line of detection for diabetes, since the eye is the only place on the body that blood vessels that are affected in diabetes can be seen without having to look through the skin,” said Dr. Jeffrey Pulk, secretary and treasurer of the MOA and a specialist in vision issues related to diabetes. “With early detection, optometrists can diagnose potential vision threatening changes in eyes before permanent damage, such as blindness occurs.”

Diabetic retinopathy is known as the most serious eye problem associated with diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when there is a weakening or swelling of the tiny blood vessels in the retina of the eyes, resulting in blood leakage, the growth of new blood vessels and other changes. Early detection of diabetic retinopathy is critical and if left untreated, blindness can result.

Visual symptoms of diabetes include fluctuating or blurring vision, occasional double vision, night vision problems and flashes and floaters within the eyes. These symptoms are most often associated with more severe complications. However, diabetic eye disease often begins with no symptoms and as a result of the delayed diagnosis, as many as 50% of patients are diagnosed too late for treatment to be effective. Annual dilated eye examinations are recommended for early detection and treatment.

According to the American Diabetes Association, an estimated 54 million Americans aged 40 to 74 have pre-diabetes, a condition that puts them at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Both Hispanics and African Americans are nearly twice as likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites.

“If diabetics want to dramatically decrease the risk of blindness it is important to have regularly scheduled dilated eye exams with your optometrist,” said Dr. Pulk. “In most cases, vision loss from diabetes can be prevented.”

To find a Michigan Optometric Association optometrist, visit www.themoa.org.

About the Michigan Optometric Association

The mission of the Michigan Optometric Association is to unite all licensed optometrists and be the representative voice for the profession of optometry in Michigan. The association provides education, information and other member services to assist optometrists in practicing successfully in accordance with the highest standards of patient care; works to advance the quality and accessibility of optometric services throughout the state and seeks to ensure the recognition of optometrists as the primary providers of vision and related eye health care.

[Editor’s Note: Dr. Jeffrey Pulk, secretary/treasurer of the Michigan Optometric Association, is available for interviews. Please contact Defausha Hampton at (313) 567-5031.]

Media Center