With over 25.8 million people in the United States suffering from diabetes, increasing awareness and understanding is pivotal to stopping the disease. At Doctors Vision Center, we take our job of informing our patients about the risks and preventative measures of diabetes seriously, as it can have a grave impact on ones eyesight.

We see many instances in which a patient’s diabetes leads to an eye complication called Diabetic Retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness in American adults. During this month, awareness efforts are heightened for a disease that is present, for many people, all year long. Educating ourselves in prevention and control is vital to the success of finding a cure for diabetes.

The theme this year is “I Raise My Hand to Stop Diabetes.” This theme will highlight those who are working diligently 12 months of the year to provide a better future for people with diabetes. This program will encourage others to join the champions in the Stop Diabetes movement.

The following statistics reported on the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet are convincing to say the least, that we all need to join in to Raise Our Hand to Stop Diabetes.

Prevalence of Diabetes:

* In contrast to the 2007 National Diabetes Fact Sheet, which used fasting glucose data to estimate undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes, the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet uses both fasting glucose and A1C levels to derive estimates for undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes. These tests were chosen because they are most frequently used in clinical practice.

Race and Ethnic Differences in Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes:

After adjusting for population age differences, the 2007-2009 national survey data for people diagnosed with diabetes, age 20 years or older included the following prevalence by race/ethnicity:

• 7.1% of non-Hispanic whites
• 8.4% of Asian Americans
• 12.6% of non-Hispanic blacks
• 11.8% of Hispanics

Among Hispanics rates were:

• 7.6% for Cubans
• 13.3% for Mexican Americans
• 13.8% for Puerto Ricans.

Morbidity and Mortality:

In 2007, diabetes was listed as the underlying cause on 71,382 death certificates and was listed as a contributing factor on an additional 160,022 death certificates. This means that diabetes contributed to a total of 231,404 deaths.

Complications:

Heart disease and stroke:

• In 2004, heart disease was noted on 68% of diabetes-related death certificates among people age 65 years or older.
• In 2004, stroke was noted on 16% of diabetes-related death certificates among people age 65 years or older.
• Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about 2 to 4 times higher than adults without diabetes.
• The risk for stroke is 2 to 4 times higher among people with diabetes.

Blindness

• Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults age 20–74 years.
• In 2005-2008, 4.2 million (28.5%) people with diabetes age 40 years or older had diabetic retinopathy, and of these, almost 0.7 million (4.4% of those with diabetes) had advanced diabetic retinopathy that could lead to severe vision loss.

Diabetes not only causes complications with heart disease and blindness, but also kidney disease, nervous system disease, and amputation if not properly treated.  At the first sign or symptom of a vision problem, call your optometrist.  Proactive eye care is the best way to ensure lifelong health and quality vision. Raise your hand to stop diabetes.

Dr. Ted Watson
Digital Doc