By Dr. Shaminder Bhullar
All of us should be getting our eyes regularly examinationed to make sure they are healthy, but the importance of people with diabetes having their recommended exams is critical. In both type 1 and type 2 diabetics, high blood sugar is involved in damaging the delicate blood vessels within the retina. This damage is called diabetic retinopathy. Complications from diabetic retinopathy can lead to significant vision loss if left untreated. Changes in vision may occur gradually from complications such as swelling in the central portion of our vision called the macula, or suddenly from a bleed within the eye cavity, called a vitreous hemorrhage. Many of the complications from diabetic retinopathy can lead to a permanent, irreversible loss of vision or blindness without treatment.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, in the article cited below, an alarming number of diabetics fail to have their annual eye exams on a regular basis. Since many of the early signs of diabetic retinopathy do not cause any symptoms, the importance of regular dilated eye exams to detect these changes cannot be overstated.
“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, OCT 20, 2016, 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 at AAO 2016, the 120th annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
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 signs of disease, enabling timely treatment. This is why the Academy recommends people with diabetes have them annually or more often as recommended by their ophthalmologist, a physician who specializes in medical and surgical eye care.
“Vision loss is tragic, especially when it is preventable,” said Ann P. Murchison, M.D., M.P.H., lead author of the study and director of the eye emergency department at Wills Eye Hospital. “That’s why we want to raise awareness and ensure people with diabetes understand the importance of regular eye exams.”
“People with diabetes need to know that they shouldn’t wait until they experience problems to get these exams,” Rahul N. Khurana, M.D, clinical spokesperson for the Academy. “Getting your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist can reveal the signs of disease that patients aren’t aware of.”
Non-Adherence to Eye Care in People with Diabetes was presented at AAO 2016, the 120th annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
At the Retina Treatment Center we hope to shed light on the significance of diabetics making it a priority to see their eye care professional for their diabetic eye exam. In addition to retinopathy, people with diabetes are four times more likely to develop cataracts than non-diabetics, and they have double the risk of developing glaucoma.
A comprehensive dilated eye exam is critical for diabetics. Certain high-risk patients may need a dilated exam several times per year, depending on their doctor’s recommendations. The first step is to schedule the examination because early diagnosis can reduce vision loss and blindness by approximately 95 percent.
Along with medication, several procedures may be used to treat diabetic retinopathy; these include advanced laser techniques called photocoagulation or surgical removal of the vitreous gel of the eye, called a vitrectomy. If you or someone you love is a diabetic or developing eye irregularities, please make sure to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor immediately to help prevent any further damage to your eyesight.
For more information, please visit retinatreatmentcenter.com, or call our office at (941) 251-4930.