A Complication of Diabetes

Diabetic individuals may develop an eye disorder commonly associated with diabetes. Almost 30 percent of diabetics in America over age forty-five have the diabetes related disorder known as diabetic retinopathy. Four percent of the diabetic population of America are affected severely enough that their vision is threatened. Diabetic retinopathy involves damage to the retina and is a leading cause of new cases of legal blindness among adults aged 20-74 years. With the incidence of rising diabetes, it is reasonable to assume that the statistics surrounding this disorder may be obsolete and outdated. It’s imperative that diabetic individuals schedule regular, comprehensive eye examinations.

Clouded Thinking

It would seem apparent that seniors would know of an eye condition which is a leading cause of blindness in their contemporaries. Yet, when older individuals express their knowledge of cataracts, misinformation abounds. An unfortunate aspect of this lack of knowledge of cataracts results in preventing those who need treatment from getting it by unrealistic expectations of treatment. Simply put, the U. S. National Eye Institute states that cataracts occur when the eye lens grow cloudy. Cataracts do not grow on top the eye. Nor should you wait until the eye lens becomes completely white before seeking surgical treatment. Cataracts can be removed and replaced with a clear, man-made lens with cataract surgery. With a 95% success rate, the surgery is generally performed under light sedation as an outpatient where the patient returns home the same day.