If you have diabetes, its important to keep up to date with your preventive screenings to help catch issues as soon as possible. Find an eye care professional near you to schedule your diabetic retinal eye exam.What is a diabetic retinal eye exam?A diabetic eye exam is part of a comprehensive eye exam performed by an eye care professional to check for signs of diabetic retinopathy. This condition can affect people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and can cause serious complications, including vision loss or blindness.1 Thankfully, a diabetic retinal eye exam is a generally simple, painless procedure that can help you prevent diabetic retinopathy or detect signs early.2In-office diabetic retinal eye examBefore the exam, an eye care professional will dilate your pupils with eye drops. Once your pupils widen about 20 minutes later, the eye care professional will check your visual acuity (sharpness), depth perception and eye movement. They will also examine the back of the eye for signs of diabetic retinopathy. Since diabetes can increase your risk for glaucoma, some exams may include glaucoma testing.3The retinal exam itself generally takes about 10 minutes. If you schedule the exam in-office with an eye care professional, you may get results immediately.4At-home diabetic retinal eye examHumana Medicare Advantage plan members may have the opportunity for an at-home diabetic eye exam. Before the exam, a Humana-approved vendor will contact you to schedule your appointment. Next, an eye care specialist will give you a retinal exam from the comfort of your home. Unlike a traditional exam done at an ophthalmologist or optometrists office, an in-home screening does not require dilating drops and does not impair your vision. Our vendors utilize compact, lightweight fundus cameras that allow their technicians to take high-quality images transmitted to an ophthalmologist for review seamlessly.Once an ophthalmologist has reviewed the images, your results will be mailed to you and your primary care physician (PCP). Humana will also update your records with your exam results.Medicare members who have not completed their diabetic retinal exam within the past year are generally eligible for at-home exams, with some exceptions. Contact your provider to see if you qualify.Humana works with trusted vendors to provide at-home diabetic retinal exams. If you are eligible for an at-home diabetic retinal exam, you may be contacted by one of the following Humana-approved vendors:HealProsVuePointSignifyMatrixIf you have been contacted about an at-home diabetic retinal exam and have questions about your appointment, reach out to the vendor that contacted you. If you would like to schedule the exam on your own, simply decline the request. That information will be recorded in our system, and the vendor wont contact you again.Coverage and costs for a diabetic retinal eye examHumana Medicare Advantage medical plans cover eye exams for diabetic retinopathy once each year if you have diabetes. You dont need a vision plan to receive coverage since the exam is considered preventive medical care. However, the exam must be done by an eye care professional whos legally allowed to do the test in your state. Check the Evidence of Coverage for your plan for more details.How do I receive Go365 rewards for completing the exam?If Go365 is included with your plan, you can submit proof of your exam through Go365.com. Please make sure to submit your proof within 90 days of the exam to receive your Go365 reward for completing the activity. Please note, that you are only eligible for reward reimbursement once per calendar year.

Nearly 3.5 million Americans over 40 have vision loss, most commonly from age-related conditions. Most people with age-related vision loss will not become completely blind.In addition to regular vision exams, here are some signs of possible decreased vision.Reading small print becomes a struggle. Your loved one has to sit closer to the TV to read the screen, or their glasses are no longer enough to read the newspaper.Color contrast becomes necessary. A dish sitting on the counter blends in with the countertop.Transitioning between bright and dark environments presents challenges. Seniors may need more light to navigate or read. However, some eye conditions make it very difficult to navigate environments such as darker restaurants. Seeing things. Sudden loss of vision such as what sometimes occurs with macular degeneration can sometimes cause visual hallucinations.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Outlook Enrichment. Outlook Enrichment can answer your questions about vision loss. Call 531-365-5051 to learn more.

Otolaryngology is the study of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) conditions. It is also referred to as Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery or Otorhinolaryngology and it is the oldest medical specialty in theUnited States.This medical specialty dates back to the 19th century, when doctors recognized that the head and neck contained a series of interconnected systems. Doctors developed techniques and tools for examining and treating problems of the head and neck, eventually forming a medical specialty. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, it is the oldest medical specialty in the United States.Otolaryngologists also known as Otorhinolaryngologists are physicians trained in the medical and surgical management and treatment of patients with diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. Commonly known as ENTs, their special skills include diagnosing and managing diseases of the sinuses, larynx (voice box), oral cavity, upper pharynx (mouth and throat), and the neck and face.Otolaryngologists differ from many physicians in that they are qualified to perform many types of surgery on the delicate and complex tissues of the head and neck.What do Otolaryngologists Treat?Ear: Otolaryngologists are trained in the medical and surgical treatment of hearing loss, ear infections, balance disorders, ear noise (tinnitus), nerve pain, and facial and cranial nerve disorders. They also manage congenital (birth) disorders of the outer and inner ear. Nose: Care of the nasal cavity and sinuses is one of the primary skills of otolaryngologists. Otolaryngologists diagnose, manage and treat allergies, sinusitis, smell disorders, polyps, and nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum. They can also correct the appearance of the nose (rhinoplasty surgery). Throat: Otolaryngologists have expertise in managing diseases of the larynx (voice box) and the upper aero-digestive tract or esophagus, including voice and swallowing disorders. Head and Neck: In the head and neck area, otolaryngologists are trained to treat infectious diseases, both benign and malignant (cancerous) tumors, facial trauma, and deformities of the face. They perform both cosmetic plastic and reconstructive surgery. Otolaryngology services include:NoseThroatHead and Neck CancerAllergiesSinus DiseaseSleep DisordersThis article was submitted by Premier Medical with locations throughout the Alabama Gulf Coast area.  Premier Medicals physicians practice general otolaryngology on both children and adults, and manage specific disorders such as allergies. Sleep disorders, such as snoring, can be a sign of a more serious underlying medical condition. ENTs also perform surgeries on the sinuses, head and neck, nasal passages and facial cosmetic procedures.