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Feb. 5, 2015 Medical Director’s Minute – Dr. Greg Marino As a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma Medical Director, I have a unique opportunity to share health trends and important information that is sometimes overlooked. One area I want to highlight is the importance of annual eye exams for those with diabetes. Diabetes affects nearly 278,000 Oklahomans, according to the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, an organization dedicated to fighting the diabetes epidemic in Oklahoma. Diabetes is a chronic illness that occurs when your body cannot make or properly use insulin. Insulin is the hormone your body uses to break down sugar and fat. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to heart attacks, kidney failure, leg amputations and blindness. Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes. This complication is one of the most important causes of visual loss world-wide and is the principle cause of impaired vision in patients between 25 and 74 years of age. Because of the increasing number of diabetics in our state, the potential for significant eye disease leading to severe vision problems makes annual eye exams very important. There are a multitude of different eye diseases that are caused by diabetes. These diseases can be treated in most cases especially when detected early. Your optometrist or ophthalmologist can recommend a course of treatment for your eyes following your annual eye exam. The incidence of eye problems increases the longer you are treated for diabetes. All individuals with diabetes should have their eyes examined every year with a dilated eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. You can reduce your chances of diabetic retinopathy by keeping your blood pressure and blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. Yearly eye exams will ensure the early detection of possible eye disease. Talk with your doctor and schedule your annual eye exam. Together we can lower the number of people affected by severe eye disease caused by diabetes. | |