As a retinal specialist, I couldn’t let this month pass by without raising awareness about diabetes. Every day, I treat patients with diabetic eye disease. Diabetes causes damage to the small blood vessels of the back of the eye (called diabetic retinopathy). This can lead to severe vision loss and even blindness.
When discussing diabetes with my patients, I always emphasize that they are not helpless. Patients have the power to fight diabetes - by working to control their blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol. I stress the importance of healthy eating, exercise, and regular doctor visits. A healthy lifestyle is the cornerstone to good diabetic health.
For patients with diabetes-related vision loss, there is still hope - treatments by me and my fellow retinal specialists can often preserve and restore vision. But preventative care is always the best way to go!
I stand together with the American Diabetes Association in the fight against diabetes. Fellow doctors out there, who’s with me?