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.
For example, did you know that regular diabetic eye exams are crucial for catching early signs of eye diseases caused by diabetes? If you’re not seeing an eye doctor regularly, you may be at risk of permanent vision loss without even realizing it. Learn more about diabetic eye disease and why Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month is the perfect time to take action and protect your vision.
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 way in preventing vision loss. For this reason, Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month is used to spread the word on preventing and managing eye diseases related to diabetes.
How to protect your eyes from diabetic eye disease
Because lifestyle changes and proper care can slow the negative effects of diabetes on someone’s eyes, it is important to try to catch diabetic eye disease in its earliest stages.
During Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month, you can help yourself and others by:
- Getting your eyes checked if you have diabetes or if diabetes runs in your family
- 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 ours that specializes in diabetic eye care
Don’t put off your eye exam
Proper management and care can help slow the progression of this disease. That’s why it’s important for people with diabetes to understand the potential dangers to their eyes and what they can do to prevent them from worsening.
If you or someone you love has diabetes and hasn’t gotten their eyes checked recently, now is the time to do so. As eye care providers in Blue Island, we are here to help you with everything from finding a prescription to caring for more serious diseases. Call today to make your appointment.
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