MANY AMERICANS WITH DIABETES SKIP ANNUAL SIGHT-SAVING EXAMS

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Quigley Eye Specialists- FL

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Feb 08, 2021

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Florida - Southwest

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People with diabetes are at increased risk of developing seriouseye diseases, yet most do not have sight-saving, annual eye exams ,according to researchers at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia.
Quigley Eye Specialists joins the American Academy of Ophthalmology in reiterating the importance of eye exams during the month of November, which is observed as Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month.
More than half of patients with the disease skip these exams, researchers said. They also discovered that patients who smoke and those with less severe diabetes and no eye problems were most likely to neglect to have these checks.
The researchers collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to review the charts of close to 2,000 patients age 40 or older with type 1and type 2 diabetes to see how many had regular eye exams. Their findings over a four-year period revealed that:

Fifty-eight percent of patients did not have regular follow-up eye exams
Smokers were20 percent less likely to have exams
Those with less-severe disease and no eye problems were least likely to follow recommendations
Those who had diabetic retinopathy were 30 percent more likely to have follow-up exams

One in 10 Americans has diabetes, putting them at heightened risk for visual impairment due to the eye disease diabetic retinopathy. This condition often has no early warning signs or symptoms, making it even more important to get regular eye exams. The disease also can lead to other blinding ocular complications if not treated in time.
There are four stages of diabetic retinopathy. No treatment is needed in the first three stages unless you have macular edema (retinal swelling). To prevent the disease from progressing, its important to keep your levels of blood sugar, blood pressure and blood cholesterol monitored and under control.
Laser treatment is used to treat proliferative retinopathy. This type of laser procedure is called scatter laser treatment. Multiple sets of treatments are sometimes needed. Although some peripheral vision may be lost due to this condition, laser treatment can help keep the rest of your sight intact. Night vision and color vision may be reduced slightly.
If blood has accumulated at the center of your eye, you may need what is called a vitrectomy to restore your sight. This is performed under local or general anesthesia. You also will need to wear an eye patch for several days and, in some cases, weeks to protect your eye. If both eyes need a vitrectomy, the procedure is done in one eye at a time, several weeks apart.
Fortunately, having a dilated eye exam yearly or more often can prevent 95 percent of diabetes-related vision loss. Eye exams are critical as they can reveal hidden signs of disease, enabling timely treatment.This is why the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends people with diabetes have them annually or more often as recommended by their ophthalmologist.
Quigley Eye Specialists offer all treatments for diseases of the eye. To make an appointment, call 239-466-2020 or visitwww.QuigleyEye.com

Dr. Thomas Aaron Judd is a Florida Board-certified Optometrist with Quigley Eye Specialists. Technology leaders in eye care, Quigley Eye Specialists specializes in cataracts, laser cataract surgery, glaucoma, LASIK, dry eye, cosmetic surgery, retinal issues, corneal conditions and routine eye care. The practice has served the region for more than 30 years with locations throughout Southwest Florida including Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Naples, Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda. For more information, call 239-466-2020 or visit www.QuigleyEye.com

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Top Tips for Preventing Diabetic Eye Disease

Those with diabetes have their hands full when it comes to effectively managing the disease. From lifestyle changes to medication management and a plethora of medical appointments, tests, and procedures, keeping diabetes in check requires both ongoing education and dedication to following doctors orders.November is Diabetic Eye Disease Month, the perfect time to address this additional facet of diabetes care. You may have heard frightening statistics that link diabetes with blindness, but the truth is, most people with diabetes are at risk for less severe vision problems. However, its important for diabetics and those who care for them to be vigilant in keeping up with eye exams and addressing any concerns that arise immediately.Following are a few of the leading eye conditions that may affect someone with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association:Cataracts: The risk of cataracts is 60% more common for those with diabetes. Diabetics also are usually diagnosed with cataracts at a younger age than those without diabetes, and they typically progress faster, too. Mild cataracts can be managed by wearing sunglasses and glare-control lenses, while more developed cataracts will likely need to be removed.Glaucoma: Because diabetics are at a 40% higher risk of contracting glaucoma, its crucial to be screened routinely. The risk increases with age and with the length of time a person has had diabetes. Medications are available to reduce the pressure in the eye, and surgery may be an option as well.Retinopathy: The term retinopathy covers all disorders of the retina caused by diabetes, including the most common form, non-proliferative retinopathy, in which pouches form in the back of the eye, as well as proliferative retinopathy, in which blood vessels close off as the result of damage, causing new, weakened vessels to leak blood. Several different treatment options are available for both of these conditions, and as with other eye conditions, the quicker theyre treated, the better the prognosis.Home Care Can Help!At Home Matters Caregiving, our caregivers are skilled and experienced in helping those with diabetes follow doctors orders to remain in optimal health. Some of the many ways we can help include:Planning and preparing nutritious, diabetes-friendly mealsProviding transportation to the doctor or for any necessary proceduresOffering encouragement to participate in doctor-approved exercisesServing as a friendly companion to brighten each dayAnd much more

The Role of Exercise in Diabetic Senior Care

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Poor Sleep and Diabetes

Thirty-five percent of people report getting less than the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep nightly.[1] People who dont get enough sleep are prone to health problems, including type 2 diabetes. How sleep or lack of it affects diabetes is still being investigated, but its possible that for some people, preventing or controlling diabetes is as simple as getting an extra hour or two of zs each night. People who suffer from sleep disturbances are at risk for obesity, diabetes, and coronary artery disease, according to research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The research analyzed data of over 130,000 people and indicated that general sleep disturbances such as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too long may play a role in the development of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.[2] The study discovered a clear relationship between sleep disturbance and diabetes. The findings suggest that getting a better nights sleep may lead to better blood glucose control. Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that just one night of sleep deprivation can decrease insulin sensitivity equal to the effect of six months of a high-fat diet.[3] This could mean that for type 2 diabetics, getting enough rest could contribute significantly to managing blood sugar. Diabetes and sleep have a complicated relationship. The better we can manage the symptoms of diabetes the better our sleep should be. Exercise, healthy eating habits, proper rest, and regular doctor visits could be part of the process in managing the symptoms of type 2 diabetes.[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016, February 16). 1 in 3 adults dont get enough sleep. Retrieved July 15, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0215-enough-sleep.html[2] Grandner MA, Jackson NJ, Pak VM, Gehrman PR. Sleep disturbance is associated with cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. J Sleep Res. 2012;21(4):427-433. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2869.2011.00990.x[3] Obesity Society. Insulin sensitivity: One night of poor sleep could equal six months on a high-fat diet, study in dogs suggests. ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 November 2015. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151104134039.htm.