Diabetes has the potential to become the number one public health concern of the 21st century:
- In 2007, approximately 7 percent of adults worldwide ages 20-79 had diabetes.1
- 366 million cases of diabetes are projected by 2030 – more than twice the number in 2000.2
- An estimated 50 percent of people with diabetes are unaware that they have it.2
- For many patients, diabetes may be a potentially preventable disease.
Diabetes has serious implications for Healthy Sight.
Diabetes can contribute to the development of eye disease and can impact the quality of vision experienced by diabetic patients.
The disease causes numerous changes in the eye, which can increase the risk for developing several eye-related conditions and diseases. Some of the changes in the eye include those to lens thickness and curvature, which can produce alterations in the refractive state of the eye, impacting acuity.3
Diabetes has also been associated with reductions in contrast sensitivity as well as an enhanced sensitivity to glare. Plus, eye damage from chronic exposure to UV and sunlight may make eyes more prone to damage from diabetes-related diseases like diabetic retinopathy. Certain medications taken by diabetics may make their eyes even more susceptible to UV-related damage and photosensitivity, further increasing the detrimental effects of the disease on vision.
Consider how some of these potential side effects of diabetes play a role in the development of specific diabetes-related eye disease:
Diabetic retinopathy (the most primary complication of diabetes in the eye)
- Research suggests that nearly every person diagnosed with diabetes before age 30 will develop retinopathy within 20 years of diagnosis.3
- Diabetic retinopathy may also increase the vulnerability of retinal cells to damage associated with phototoxicity, an extreme, adverse reaction to UV light.
Cataracts
- One contributor in diabetic patients is chronic hyperglycemia, in which low insulin levels cause the buildup of high sugar levels in the blood, leading to the opacification of the lens.
- Symptoms of a diabetic cataract include sensitivity to glare and decreased visual acuity, especially during bright sunlight.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- An elevated glycemic index has long been recognized as a significant risk factor for diabetes, and recent studies identify it as a risk factor for AMD as well.
- People with diabetes also may be more likely to experience a rapid progression of AMD.3
Photosensitivity
- Diabetes and related ocular complications have been associated with reductions in contrast sensitivity and increased susceptibility to glare.
- Certain drugs and drug classes – such as those for hypertension (high blood pressure) – routinely prescribed to diabetic patients may also cause photosensitivity, sensitivity to glare or contrast sensitivity decrements.
For these reasons, it may be especially important for people with diabetes to protect their eyes from sunlight and UV rays.
There appears to be an alarming lack of awareness of the disease’s potential impact on eye health and vision.
While diabetes as a grave overall health condition is getting more attention worldwide, public awareness of the disease’s effect on the eye is still fairly low. For example, less than 40 percent of people globally identify vision problems as a side effect of diabetes, and, even among diabetics themselves, only 14 to 20 percent worldwide are aware that light sensitivity can be exacerbated by diabetes.4
This lack of knowledge may have serious consequences.
Low awareness of the impact of diabetes on eye health poses a real danger to diabetic patients. Regular eye exams are essential to detect early onset of diabetes and provide prompt and effective therapy, especially since more than 90 percent of severe vision loss and blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy can be prevented with proper eye care.2 Additionally, because the disease itself impacts vision – leading to blurred sight, sensitivity to light and glare, and higher susceptibility to UV damage – many diabetics are likely not getting the vision wear they need to optimize and protect their Healthy Sight.
These concerns are validated in the results of a recent global survey, which showed that between 21 and 45 percent of diabetics worldwide report that they do not have regular eye exams (at least once a year), and between 17 and 37 percent do not report wearing eyewear that would protect them from sunlight, UV and glare outdoors, such as prescription or non-prescription sunglasses or photochromic lenses.4
The lack of action being taken by diabetic patients to seek regular vision care and utilize protective vision wear points to an urgent need for education , and has driven Transitions Optical to introduce a number resources to bring you the latest information on this topic and to provide helpful tools to aid in the education of your patients.
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Click here to download a copy of the new clinical research paper, Healthy Sight Counseling: Diabetes and the Eye , supported by Transitions Optical through the Transitions Partners in Education™ program. The paper summarizes new concepts and recent trends in the understanding of the pathophysiology of diabetes, and how and why it affects the eye. The paper also highlights the need for eyecare professionals to educate individuals with or at risk for diabetes to wear protective eyewear – such as UV-blocking photochromic or fixed tint lenses and anti-reflective coatings – to help protect against harmful UV radiation and vision-impairing glare.
The paper is authored by Bruce Bode, M.D.; Leila El Matri, Pr.; Paul Brant, O.D.; Susan Stenson, M.D.; Gary L. Trick, Ph.D. |
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This easy-to-read patient brochure summarizes the eye health needs of diabetics or those at increased risk for diabetes, and outlines the steps they can take to protect and preserve their Healthy Sight. This is a useful tool to make available to patients in the waiting room or in-office, or to share with colleagues in related medical professions. |
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Transitions also offers six educational posters designed to raise public awareness about the ocular health threats that diabetics face, and steps they need to take to protect and preserve their Healthy Sight. Like the consumer brochure, posters can be utilized in-office by eyecare professionals or other medical professionals, such as general medical physicians and internists, endocrinologists, dermatologists and pediatricians.
For printed copies of these or other diabetes materials from Transitions Optical, please contact your local representative.
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The information presented here is intended as general health information and as an educational tool. It is not exhaustive and does not cover all possible interactions among drugs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call or consultation with a physician or other health care provider. Transitions Optical, Inc. ("Transitions") does not recommend the self-management of health or medical problems, nor does Transitions promote or recommend any particular form of medical or alternative treatment. You should never disregard medical advice - or delay in seeking it - because of something you have read on this website. You should always seek prompt medical care for any specific health issue.
1 International Diabetes Foundation
2 World Health Organization
3 Healthy Sight Counseling: Diabetes and the Eye, 2008
4 Healthy Sight Survey 2008 - Harris Interactive