Eye Exams and Diabetes

March 2008

Nearly 21 million Americans have diabetes and, perhaps of even greater concern, more than 6 million Americans are unaware that they have it.  In addition to overall health complications, diabetes can cause changes in one's vision and ultimately lead to blindness. In fact, diabetes is the No. 1 cause of new cases of blindness among adults. The American Optometric Association (AOA) strongly encourages individuals to have regular, comprehensive eye examinations. Optometrists can serve as the first line of detection for diabetes, since the eye is the only place on the body where blood vessels can be seen without having to look through skin or tissue.

According to the AOA's annual American Eye-Q™ survey, only 41 percent of Americans thought that diabetes patients should have their vision checked once a year.

"Anyone at high risk for diabetes needs to have regular, dilated eye exams. For those individuals with known diabetes, a yearly dilated eye exam is critical," according to Stephanie Su, O.D., of Visionary Eye Associates in Brighton and Webster, NY. "Fortunately, diabetic retinopathy, a potentially blinding complication of diabetes, can be diagnosed during a dilated eye exam. Often the first signs of diabetes may be found during a routine eye examination. Early detection of diabetes is critical in maintaining long-term healthy vision."

If diabetes results in vision loss, a doctor of optometry can help patients regain their quality of life by maximizing remaining vision through low-vision rehabilitation.

More facts about diabetes:

• An estimated 54 million Americans ages 40 to 74 (40.1 percent of the U.S. population is in this age group) have prediabetes, a condition that puts them at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

• People with diabetes are 40 percent more likely to develop glaucoma.

• People with diabetes are 60 percent more likely to develop cataracts.

Individuals at risk should have an eye examination annually or as recommended by their optometrist. Contact a doctor of optometry immediately if your vision becomes blurry; you have trouble reading signs or books; experience double vision; feel pressure in your eyes; encounter straight lines that appear indistinct; or your side vision is limited.

Diabetes risk factors include age, obesity, physical inactivity, a family history of the disease, medical history of gestational diabetes, and impaired glucose tolerance.

Healthy vision doesn't happen by accident. Regular eye exams are essential in maintaining eye health and can also contribute to good overall health.

The annual American Eye-Q® survey identifies attitudes and behaviors of Americans regarding eye care and related issues.  According to the AOA’s 2007 survey, almost half of respondents indicated eyesight as the sense they most worry about losing, yet admitted to knowingly engaging in behaviors that could be harmful to their eyes and vision, including poor contact-lens hygiene and avoiding eye exams. The survey also showed that Americans have misconceptions about eye-related health. Most (69 %) respondents thought that carrots are the best food to eat for eye health. In fact, spinach contains the best nutrients for the eye, but only 9 percent knew that   Additionally, habits that can be most harmful to eyes are not widely understood. Over 60% of respondents correctly identified that smoking and eye-rubbing can be harmful. But less than 50% knew that drinking alcohol and coffee are considered potentially detrimental to eye health.