When many people think of diabetes, their minds jump to people checking their blood sugar and managing their diet. While both are often a part of living with diabetes, there is a whole lot more to this disease than meets the eye.
What is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month?
November is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month. This health holiday is designed to raise awareness about the group of eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy that people with diabetes may struggle with as a complication of their diabetes. In fact, diabetes is the leading cause of new blindness in adults ages 20 to 74.1
While diabetic eye disease may come with little to no warning signs, early detection and care can go a long to prevent vision loss. For this reason, Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month is used to spread the word on the prevention and management of eye diseases from diabetes.
Observing Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month 2021
Because lifestyle changes and proper care can slow the negative effects of diabetes on someone’s eyes, it is important to try to catch these diseases in their earliest stages.
This year during Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month 2021, you can help yourself and others by:
- Getting your eyes checked if you have diabetes or diabetes runs in your family, especially if COVID may have kept you from doing so recently
- Encouraging anyone you know with diabetes to get an eye exam
- Spreading the word about the negative effects that diabetes could potentially have on the eyes and someone’s vision
- Following your recommended diabetes treatment plan or encouraging your impacted loved ones to do so
- Sharing your story on social media or with loved ones if you are battling any diabetic eye diseases
- If you are affected, finding a practice like us that specializes in diabetic eye care
Because proper management and care could help slow down the progression of this disease, it is important for people with diabetes to understand the potential dangers to their eyes and well as what they can do to prevent it from getting worse.
If you or someone you love has diabetes and haven’t gotten your eyes checked recently, the time is now to do so. As eye care providers in Blue Island, we are here to help you with everything from finding a prescription to care for more serious diseases. Call today to make your appointment.
Sources:
- American Diabetes Association- Retinopathy in Diabetes
