Facts about Diabetic Eye Disease

Prevent Blindness America’s “Economic Impact of Vision Problems: The Toll of Major Adult Eye Disorders, Visual Impairment, and Blindness on the U.S. Economy” study shows that diabetic retinopathy costs $490 million annually in direct costs for outpatient, inpatient and prescription drug services.

According to the CDC:

• In 2007, 3.3 million adults with diabetes (aged 18 years or older) reported visual impairment, that is, trouble seeing even with their glasses or contact lenses on.

• In 2007, 71.7 percent of adults, aged 18 years and older, with diabetes in 38 states reported receiving a dilated-eye examination within the last year,

• 23.6 million, (7.8 percent), Americans have diabetes, including 5.7 million who have yet to be diagnosed.  Another 57 million have pre-diabetes.

• In 2007, 15.1 percent of U.S. adults with diabetes smoked, 38.2 percent reported being physically inactive, 83.5 percent were overweight or obese, 51.1 percent were obese based on self-reported height and weight, 67.0 percent of U.S. adults with diabetes reported having hypertension, and 62.6 percent reported that their cholesterol was high.

Here are a few ways to protect your eyes:

• Healthy blood glucose levels are like carrots: Both are good for your eyes. Keeping up with blood glucose management lowers the risk of developing eye disease and keeps existing eye disease from getting worse.

• It’s worse under pressure. High blood pressure can cause damage to blood vessels in the eye, and can make diabetic eye disease worse. Talk to your doctor about ways to control your blood pressure.

• Cholesterol counts. High cholesterol can also cause damage to blood vessels in the eye. Keep cholesterol down to keep eye disease from developing or worsening.

For more information on diabetic eye disease, visit www.preventblindness.org/diabetes.

 

Number of eye disease cases expected to increase

As the number of Americans with diabetes continues to increase, so does the expected increase in the number of cases of major eye disease including diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma.

Today, there are more than 23 million Americans, or close to 8 percent, who have diabetes.  Projections from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that the number will balloon to 48 million by the year 2050.

Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults 20-74 years of age.

A new study* also predicts a dramatic increase in the number of eye disease cases in Hispanic and African American populations.  The research estimates that Hispanics with diabetes in all age groups will have substantially large increases in diabetes-related eye disease.  African Americans are five times more likely than Caucasians to develop glaucoma.  Rates for African Americans with diabetes with glaucoma are expected to rise the most among those age 50 and older, and the rates of cataracts for those 75 and older is expected to increase more than 600 percent in woman and close to 700 percent in men.

In an effort to educate the public on diabetes and its potential effect on vision, Prevent Blindness Georgia has declared November as Diabetic Eye Disease Month. For free information to patients on diabetic eye disease, risk factors, treatment options and Medicare benefits through our Web site, please visit www.preventblindness.org/diabetes.

 

*The “Projection of Diabetic Retinopathy and Other Major Eye Diseases Among People With Diabetes Mellitus” by Jinan B. Saaddine, M.D., M.P.H., et al,

NVI Swing Fore Sight Golf Tournament Presented by Viva International Group

Our 14th Annual Swing Fore Sight Golf Tournament took place last week. Prevent Blindness Georgia would like to thank all our sponsors for making this year’s golf tournament a very successful event.

National Vision, Inc. - Title Sponsor
Viva International Group – Presenting Sponsor
Marchon Eyewear – Reception Sponsor
Luxottica - Golfer Gift Sponsor
Carl Zeiss Vision – Flag Sponsor
Nouveau Eyewear – Awards Sponsor
Younger Optics – Cart Sponsor
Zimco Optics – Fore Caddy Sponsor
Zyloware – Beverage Cart Sponsor
REM Eyewear – Team Photo Sponsor
FASTSIGNS – Norcross - Signage Sponsor
SOMO OPTICAL – Bag Tag Sponsor
Colliers Corporate Solutions – Closest to Pin Contest
Transitions Optical - Longest Drive Contest
GfK Audits & Surveys – Registration Sponsor
Ernest Communications-Simplify Corporation – Bag Drop Sponsor

Hole Sponsors

Essilor|Vision-Ease Lens | OfficeMax | J. Smith Lanier & Co | The Robin Shepherd Group| Wachovia | Quantum | Safilo USA Inc |Mission Graphics | Seiko Optical |Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia | Rich Printing Inc| Optima Inc | Decision First Technologies | Schnackel Engineers Inc| California Accessories | Chelsea Partners | CooperVision | Harmelin Media

For more pictures, click here and for more information about Prevent Blindness Georgia and our upcoming events, visit www.pbga.org.

CDC launches Web site dedicated to Vision Health

The CDC has launched a new Web site dedicated to vision health!  This is a great resource for updated information and features the “Economic Impact of Vision Problems” report.  The Vision Health Initiative (VHI) promotes vision health and quality of life for all populations, through all life stages, by preventing and controlling eye diseases, eye injury, and vision loss resulting in disability

Please go to: http://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/

To learn more about PBGA, visit www.pbga.org.

Halloween is coming!

Prevent Blindness Georgia wants to make sure everyone enjoys a safe and happy holiday and advises the following:

• Always wear hypoallergenic make-up. Adults should apply the make-up and remove it with cold cream or eye make-up remover instead of soap. Follow product guidelines about applying product directly around the eyes.

• False eyelashes should only be applied and removed according to the manufacturers instructions on the products package.

• Avoid costumes with masks, wigs, floppy hats or eye patches that block vision.  Tie hats and scarves securely so they won’t slip over children’s eyes.

• Avoid costumes that drag on the ground to prevent tripping or falling.  Do not use roller blades or ride a bike, scooter or skateboard while wearing a costume.

• Avoid pointed props such as spears, swords or wands.

• Wear bright, reflective clothing or decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape/patches. Carry a bright flashlight to improve visibility.

• Always accompany children while trick-or-treating.  Only go to houses you are familiar with.

• Carefully examine all trick-or-treat items for signs of tampering before allowing children to eat them.  Inspect any toys or novelty items received by kids age 3 and younger as they may pose a choking hazard.

• Jack-o-lanterns should be placed in areas where trick-or-treaters or Halloween party guests won’t be able to trip over them or have costumes brush up against them.  All tripping hazards should be removed from sidewalks and porches.

Prevent Blindness Georgia also wants to remind the public that it is illegal to purchase cosmetic contact lenses without a prescription.  Because any contact lens is considered a medical device, only an eye care professional can ensure that the lenses are used and cared for properly.  Misuse of lenses can result in bacterial infections, swelling, eye pain, sensitivity to light, conjunctivitis (pink eye), corneal scratches, corneal ulceration, and loss of clarity. If left untreated, these conditions can result in permanent eye damage and loss of sight.

For more information on Halloween safety or contact lens safety, please call Prevent Blindness Georgia or visit www.pbga.org

PBGA Interactive Contest Rules

Hello everyone!

Here are the rules for our contests.

1. You must live in Georgia (sorry out-of-state supporters, we still love you)
2. You must be 21 years or older (for certain prizes).

That’s it!

Our contests will be announced on our Twitter page, Facebook page and Web site.

We will have contests with different prizes during the weeks of:

• October 5
• October 12
• October 19
• October 26

Please check back here for more information.

SoloHealth featured on “The Doctors”

Tomorrow, SoloHealth™’s EyeSite™ kiosk will be featured on CBS’s “The Doctor’s”, a popular, syndicated TV show filmed in Los Angeles. SoloHealth, which is headquartered in Atlanta, is a healthcare technology company which is leveraging the growing consumer preference for self-directed healthcare services.

EyeSite is an interactive self-service vision testing kiosk that provides consumers with a free assessment of their vision, information about common eye health conditions, and referrals to local eye care practitioners.Atlanta residents can access EyeSite at locations throughout the city.

With a mission of preventing blindness and preserving sight for all Georgians, Prevent Blindness Georgia encourages Georgians to get regular eye exams. The EyeSite™ vision screening does not replace the need to see an eye care professional for a full and thorough exam, but encourages consumers to visit an eye doctor on a regular basis.

For more information on eye exams and vision screenings, visit www.pgba.org. For more information on SoloHealth, visit www.solo-health.com

Could you have AMD? Take this test to determine your risk

During AMD Week, September 19-27, 2009, Prevent Blindness America and AMD Alliance International are launching the distribution of a viral campaign with a test for AMD.  The short video provides a quick and easy test for the early signs of macular degeneration.  http://www.testyourvisionforamd.com/preventblindness_test.php

Though it is the leading cause of blindness in people over 50 and affects 25-30 million people in the western world, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains a condition that is often little understood by even those who are at high risk of developing the disease.  In the United States, AMD affects more than 2 million people ages 50 and older.

The most critical message is that everyone over the age of 50 must see an eye doctor on a regular basis, even if their vision seems perfect. Early detection is the most important factor in preventing or slowing the advance of AMD.

In addition to regular eye exams, people can make changes to their nutrition and lifestyle to help prevent or slow macular degeneration:

Eat dark green, leafy vegetables – foods rich in vitamins C and E, selenium, and carotenoids (including beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin) – may delay or reduce the severity of AMD. Examples include arugula, broccoli, collard greens, kale, spinach and swiss chard.

Avoid foods that are high in fats and cholesterol, as these can lead to fatty deposits in the macular vessels which can hamper blood flow and increase the risk of AMD.

Eat fish regularly. New research suggests that Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish such as tuna and salmon may protect against the progression of AMD.

Include nuts and olive oil in your diet, as these also contain Omega-3 fatty acids and have shown to be protective.

Do not smoke. In addition to the role of diet, research has shown that AMD is two to three times more likely to occur among tobacco smokers; and, the risk is dose dependent. In other words, the more you smoke, the greater the risk and the faster the progression of the disease.

Understand your risk factors in terms of lifestyle and family history. There may be a genetic link in the occurrence of AMD. Other risk factors include age, exposure to sunlight, obesity, lack of exercise, and hypertension.

For more information on AMD, visit www.pbga.org

New device finds early signs of eye disease in preemies

Tell-tale signs of a condition that can blind premature babies are being seen for the first time using a new handheld device in a study at Duke University Medical Center.

The technology, developed in part by Duke biomedical engineers, uses spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) to create a 3-D picture of the back of the eye.  Ophthalmologists at Duke Eye Center pioneered and have been using OCT to accurately diagnose adult eyes for more than a decade.

New advances in OCT led Joseph Izatt, a professor of biomedical engineering and ophthalmology at Duke, to create the handheld probe which can snap pictures over 40 times faster than previous versions of OCT. That means multiple scans of the eye now take only seconds. It also means the portable handheld SD OCT system can be taken directly to premature infants in the incubator.

The device is manufactured by Bioptigen, Inc., a Duke spinout company in Research Triangle Park. Izatt is the chairman and chief technology officer of the firm.

For more information or to learn more about this study, click here.

“I can see!”

To round out your week, here is another letter from a grateful parent.

Thank you so much for existing! Your test and expertise discovered something that had not been detected by previous eye tests or myself.

After receiving his glasses, my son’s first words were, “I can see!” He was so excited about all the things he could see, things he never made comments about before, like billboards and letters made in rock formations that we’ve passed many times. Your organization has made a great difference in my son’s life.

Sincerely,
Christine S.

For more information on our children’s vision screening program, visit www.pbga.org.