People with diabetes are at increased risk of developing serious eye diseases, yet most do not have sight-saving, annual eye exams, according to a large study.

This is especially timely as the Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology joins the American Academy of Ophthalmology in reiterating the importance of eye exams during November, which is observed as Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month.

Researchers at Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, have found that more than half of patients with the disease skip these exams.

They also discovered that patients who smoke – and those with less severe diabetes and no eye problems – were most likely to neglect having 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 1 and 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 were 20 percent less likely to have exams;

·Those with less-severe disease and no eye problems were least likely to follow recommendations; and

·Those who had diabetic retinopathy were 30 percent more likely to have follow-up exams.

One in 10 Americans have diabetes, putting them at heightened risk for visual impairment due to the eye disease diabetic retinopathy.

The disease also can lead to other blinding ocular complications if not treated in time. 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 Academy recommends people with diabetes have them annually or more often as recommended by their ophthalmologist, a physician who specializes in medical and surgical eye care.

“Vision loss is tragic, especially when it is preventable,” said Ann P. Murchison, M.D., M.P.H., lead author of the study and director of the eye emergency department at Wills Eye Hospital. “That’s why we want to raise awareness and ensure people with diabetes understand the importance of regular eye exams.”

The Academy has released a new animated public service announcement to help educate people about the importance of regular exams and common eye diseases including diabetic retinopathy. It encourages the public to watch and share it with their friends and family.

“People with diabetes need to know that they shouldn’t wait until they experience problems to get these exams,” Rahul N. Khurana, M.D., clinical spokesperson for the Academy. “Getting your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist can reveal the signs of disease that patients aren’t aware of.

PAO President, Joanna Fisher, M.D. reiterates the importance of routine exams.

“The key in preventing permanent vision loss in diabetic patients is early detection,” Fisher said.

“The importance of having a dilated eye exam on a regular basis in these patients must be emphasized.

“Simply having a vision exam for glasses is not sufficient and can miss such serious eye complications seen more frequently in diabetic patients as such as retinopathy, glaucoma or cataracts.”

American seniors 65 and older may be eligible to get a medical eye exam at no cost through Eye Care America, a public service program of the Academy.

***

Editor’s note: The Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology has been working to preserve and protect vision and eye health for Pennsylvania’s citizens since 1943. The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons.For more information, visit aao.org.