Prevention of Blindness Society...

Don’t Lose Sight of Diabetic Eye Disease

About 10.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes. Between 40-45 percent of them have some degree of diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes that can lead to loss of sight. What can you do to help save your vision?

The Prevention of Blindness Society, along with the National Eye Institute (NEI) and 41 other organizations, is urging those with diabetes to have an annual dilated eye exam to detect eye disease in its early stages.

Experts agree that diabetic eye disease has no early warning signs, so you may not notice changes in your vision until it’s too late. With early detection, routine monitoring, and timely treatment with laser surgery, vision can be saved in more than 90 percent of those who would otherwise become blind from the disease. That’s why it’s important for people with diabetes to have a dilated eye exam at least once a year.

People with diabetes can slow the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy and reduce the likelihood of vision loss through better control of blood sugar levels. Proper diet and exercise is a great way to help control blood sugar levels.

A free brochure, "Don’t Lose Sight of Diabetic Eye Disease," is available by calling the Society at (202) 234-1010.