The South Carolina Optometric Physicians Association (SCOPA) and the American Optometric Association (AOA) are using National Diabetes Awareness Month to urge Americans living with diabetes to schedule yearly comprehensive eye exams to help detect diabetic eye disease.

Since diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults 20-74 years of age, early detection is critical. Each year, 12,000 – 24,000 people lose their sight because diabetic eye disease rarely has early warning signs. Detection begins with having a dilated eye examination every year to check for signs of diabetic eye disease and following a course of action recommended by an optometrist.

Results from the AOA’s 2011 American Eye-Q® consumer survey revealed that 55 percent of people are unaware that diabetic eye disease often has no visual signs or symptoms. Additionally, 44 percent of Americans don’t know that a person with diabetes should have a comprehensive eye exam once a year.

“When optometrists dilate a patient’s eyes during an eye exam, they have a clear view of the retina and can look for indications of diabetic eye disease, such as leaking blood vessels, swelling and deposits within the retina,” said Dr. Jason Lee, optometric physician in Florence. “Optometrists often serve as the first line of detection for diabetes, since the eye is the only place in the body that blood vessels can be seen in their natural condition without having to surgically cut through skin.”

Without yearly comprehensive eye exams, conditions such as diabetic retinopathy can go unnoticed by patients until the disease has further progressed towards blindness. Diabetic retinopathy causes progressive damage to the retina, the light sensitive lining at the back of the eye. It is a serious, sight-threatening complication of diabetes that results from damage to tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina. These small blood vessels leak blood and other fluids that cause swelling of retinal tissue may lead to permanent visual impairment or blindness without prompt treatment. Diabetic retinopathy is also linked to increased risk of kidney, heart and nerve disease, making its earlier detection even more important.

“A patient with diabetes help prevent or slow the development of diabetic retinopathy by taking prescribed medication as directed, sticking to a healthy diet, exercising regularly, controlling high blood pressure and abnormal blood cholesterol levels, and avoiding alcohol and smoking,” said Dr. Lee. “Once the disease develops, the potential for significant vision loss can be dramatically reduced by more aggressive blood sugar, pressure and cholesterol control and timely referral for laser treatment, when appropriate. In addition, newer medications for retinopathy have recently been shown to be very effective for preserving, and sometimes improving vision. The key is to detect the problem early so that the chances of maintaining good eyesight are maximized.”

Several factors influence whether someone with diabetes develops diabetic retinopathy. These include poor blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood lipid control, the length of time with diabetes, race and family history. However, the majority of people diagnosed with diabetes will have some degree of retinopathy within twenty years of diagnosis.

Both African Americans and Hispanics are nearly twice as likely to have diabetes as Caucasians. According to the American Diabetes Association, on average, about 11.8 percent of Hispanics and 12.6 percent of African Americans aged 20 years or older have been diagnosed with diabetes.

“By the year 2020, the number of people suffering from diabetic eye disease is expected to nearly double,” said Dr. Lee. “To that end, the fact that eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy often progress silently, without symptoms, must become common knowledge.”

To find an optometrist in your area, or for additional information on eye health, and diabetic retinopathy, please visit www.sceyedoctors.com or www.aoa.org.