Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that diabetes is, unfortunately, the leading cause of new cases of blindness in patients over the age of eighteen. In addition, the longer that a patient lives with diabetes, they face higher risk of developing vision issues like diabetic retinopathy or cataracts. The wide scope of this impactful issue is why the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) has deemed November to be Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month. While these complications can most often affect older patients, they can affect younger people in their teens and twenties who also live with diabetes.
Diabetic eye disease is a critical issue for millions of diabetics, but you can help by getting timely treatment and quality care (or encouraging those you love to do the same). During this, Diabetes Eye Disease Awareness Month, join us by spreading the word about protecting your vision and sharing these important facts. Educate family and friends: If you are not someone living with this diabetes or the related eyesight challenges, you can still make a difference. Please encourage your family and friends to prioritize regular eye exams.