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Diabetes and Eye Health - Latinos at Risk
Did you know that adult Hispanics are at higher risk for blindness than other ethnic groups? One of the chief factors putting Hispanics at risk for visual impairment and blindness is diabetes. About 40 percent of people with diabetes will develop at least mild diabetic retinopathy - the most common vision complication of the disease.
Q: How prevalent is diabetes?
A: According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes affects approximately 17 million Americans, or 6.2 percent of the population. Many have the disease but don't know it.
Q: What is type II diabetes?
A: Type II diabetes is the most common form of the disease and usually occurs in people over 40, particularly those who are overweight and inactive. The prevalence of type II diabetes is twice as high in Latinos as it is in non-Latino whites.
Q: How does type II diabetes impact the body?
A: Problems with insulin production and usage don't allow cells to receive the energy they need to function, while glucose builds up in the blood stream. High glucose levels in the blood over extended periods of time can be hazardous to many bodily systems.
Q: How does diabetes affect eye health?
A: Diabetes can trigger eye disease such as diabetic retinopathy. This eye disease harms the tiny blood vessels of the retina - the layer of the eye which receives images and sends them to the brain. Over time, the vessels can break down, leak or become blocked - which cause vision difficulties. Diabetic retinopathy affects Hispanics age 40 or older more frequently than any other race.
Q: What's the best defense against type II diabetes?
A: Regular checkups with your doctor to screen for diabetes and to learn strategies for preventing the disease - such as modifying diet and increasing physical activity - are the best defense against developing type II diabetes.
Q: I have already been diagnosed with diabetes. How can I reduce the risk of vision loss?
A: Visits to the eye doctor at least once a year to test for diabetic retinopathy and other eye diseases are critical. According to the National Eye Institute, research suggests that the risk of diabetic retinopathy can be reduced through careful control of blood sugar, which your doctor can help you manage.
Q: If I experience vision loss, what else can I do?
A: There is hope for people who experience vision difficulties from diabetic retinopathy and other eye disease. Not only are surgical treatments available, but vision rehabilitation can also help. People with vision loss can benefit from vision rehabilitation by regaining skills and confidence.