Approximately 3 million Hispanics at risk of losing their sight in 2030 as a result of complications from diabetes
Today, diabetes affects more than 29 million people in the United States or over 9 percent of the population. Are you one of them?
Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans represent two of the Hispanic groups with high prevalence of diabetes, although all Hispanics are at risk. All people with diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, are also at risk for diabetic eye disease, a leading cause of vision loss and blindness.
Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems that people with diabetes may face as a complication of the disease and includes cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.
Diabetic retinopathy, the most common diabetic eye disease, is the leading cause of blindness in adults 20–74 years of age. According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), 1.2 million Hispanics have diabetic retinopathy and this number is projected to increase to approximately 3 million people by 2030.
“The longer a person has diabetes, the greater is his or her risk of developing diabetic eye disease,” said Paul A. Sieving, M.D., Ph.D., director of NEI. “If you have diabetes, be sure to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. Diabetic eye disease often has no early warning signs, but can be detected early and treated before vision loss occurs. Don’t wait until you notice an eye problem to have an exam because vision that is lost often cannot be restored.”
While all people with diabetes can develop diabetic eye disease, Hispanics and older adults with diabetes are two of the groups at higher risk of losing vision or going blind from it. All people with diabetes should have a dilated eye exam at least once a year to detect vision problems early.
“In fact, with early detection, timely treatment, and appropriate follow-up care, people with diabetic retinopathy can reduce their risk of severe vision loss by 95 percent,” added Suber Huang, M.D., a spokesperson for the National Eye Health Education Program.
When people with diabetes maintain good control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol, they can slow the development and progression of diabetic eye disease. In addition to having the dilated eye exam, people with diabetes should do the following to keep their health on TRACK:
Take your medications.
Reach and maintain a healthy weight.
Add physical activity to your daily routine.
Control your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
Kick the smoking habit.
For more information on diabetic eye disease and tips on finding an eye care professional or financial assistance for eye care, visit http://ift.tt/1vIPnhI or call NEI at 301–496–5248.
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