The Unseen Danger of Diabetes
Diabetic eye disease is the leading cause of blindness among adults
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ (November 2, 2015) – November is National Diabetes Month and Dr. Barbara Tarbell encourages anyone who has, or may be at risk for, diabetes to have an annual eye examination.
“Diabetes affects 18.2 million Americans, 5.2 million of which may not even know they have the disease,” Dr. Tarbell said. “One of the health problems associated with diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, a disease of the eye which can cause blindness.”
Diabetic retinopathy can weaken and cause changes in the blood vessels that nourish the retina. Symptoms may include blurred vision, cloudiness, and/or “floaters.” Diabetes also increases a person’s risk for developing other eye diseases. For example, persons living with diabetes are 40% more likely to develop glaucoma and 60% more likely to develop cataracts.
“The early stages of diabetic retinopathy may produce no visual symptoms at all,” Dr. Tarbell said. “That is why it is so important for anyone who has diabetes or a family history of diabetes to have a yearly comprehensive eye health examination. Early detection and treatment are essential because once damage has occurred, the effects are usually permanent.”
Dr. Tarbell is the owner and practitioner of Advanced Eyecare & Vision Gallery located at 305 Omni Drive in Hillsborough and is a member of Vision Source.