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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Lauren Weber
Franco Public Relations Group
 O: (313) 567-5048
weber@franco.com

Unchecked Diabetes May Lead to Future Eye Problems

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

LANSING, Mich. – (November 5, 2009) – To combat eye diseases related to diabetes and commemorate National Diabetes Awareness Month, optometrists from the Michigan Optometric Association (MOA) are calling for Michigan residents with diabetes to get a comprehensive eye exam each year to detect early signs of diabetic eye disease.

“Diabetic eye disease often begins with no symptoms, resulting in as many as 50 percent of patients being diagnosed too late for treatment to be effective,” said Matthew Johnson, O.D. and MOA member. “A comprehensive vision exam is recommended for persons of all ages, while diabetics are required to have an annual vision examination through a dilated pupil to help detect potential sight-threaten pathology or underlying systemic disease.”

Optometrists often serve as the first line of detection for diabetes, since the eye is the only part of the body where blood vessels can be directly viewed. Research has shown that up to 20 percent of diabetics are first diagnosed through a visit to an optometrist.

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

“People with diabetes are 25 to 30 times more likely to lose their sight from retinopathy, cataracts or glaucoma than those without diabetes,” said Dr. Johnson. “Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes and is considered to be one of the major causes of blindness and serious visual impairment.”

Symptoms associated with more severe complications of diabetes can include: fluctuating or blurring vision, double vision, night vision problems and flashes or floaters within the eyes.

The National Eye Institute reports that about half of the diabetic population in America has early signs of diabetic retinopathy or serious retinal disease. Each year, approximately 65,000 Americans progress to proliferative retinopathy, the most sight-threatening stage of the disease. Additionally, as many as 25,000 people go blind from diabetic retinopathy each year.

Additional facts about diabetes and eye health:

  • More than 23.6 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, or 7.8% of the population, according to the American Diabetes Association.
  • Estimates from the Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System indicate that as many as 400,000 people in Michigan have diabetes. Of these people, only 40 to 50 percent receive an annual dilated eye exam.
  • The National Institute of Health estimates that in Michigan, one third of people with diabetes have diabetic retinopathy.
  • According to the MOA, people with diabetes are 40 percent more likely to develop glaucoma and 60 percent more likely to develop cataracts.

To learn more about vision and eye health or to locate a Michigan Optometric Association doctor, visit www.themoa.org.

[Dr. Johnson is available for interviews. Please contact
Lauren Weber at (313) 567-5048 to schedule.]

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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.

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