A Few Quick Facts About Diabetes and The Eyes...

• Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death, disability, and blindness for those in the age range of 20-74.
• Diabetes is more common in African Americans, First Nations, and Hispanics.
• Risk factors for diabetes are
  • Poverty
  • Poor Nutrition
  • Obesity
• Up to 5% of the North American population has diabetes. This rate is expected to double over the next 15 years.
• For those younger than age 30 at the time of diagnosis of the diabetes, 97% will develop ocular complications within 15 years of the diagnosis.
  For those older than age 30 at the time of diagnosis, 78% will develop ocular complications within 15 years of the diagnosis.
• Ocular complications of diabetes can include;
  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Cataracts
  • Glaucoma
  • Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
  • Double Vision Cause by Nerve Damage
  • Fluctuating vision
  • Recurrent Corneal Erosions
  • Dry Eye
  • Chronic eye infections
  • Disturbances in color vision
  • Reduced peripheral vision
• All diabetics need to have a thorough eye examination shortly after the diagnosis.
• Insulin dependent diabetics then require eye exams every two years. By eight years after diagnosis, yearly exams become necessary.
• Non-insulin dependent diabetics require exams yearly.
• Women with diabetes who become pregnant need an exam in their first trimester, and likely another one at the start of their third trimester.
• The presence of proteinuria is cause for immediate assessment.
• Your doctor may make recommendations that are different from these.
• Things to tell your eye doctor:
  • The type of diabetes you have, Type I or Type II
  • How long you have had it.
  • If you have family members with diabetes or eye problems.
  • How you control the diabetes.. with diet, pills, or insulin.
  • If vision is fluctuating.
  • Typical value and range of self monitored blood glucose level.
  • Name of your family doctor.
  • List of all medications you take, prescription or otherwise.

Early diagnosis and appropriate follow up can reduce your risk of serious eye complications by 50%. All persons with diabetes must seek out qualified doctors and have their eyes checked regularly. Drop by one of our offices in Nanaimo, Qualicum Beach or Ladysmith on Vancouver Island to have one of our trained optometrists answer your questions about diabetes and eye care.