DIABETIC EYE DISEASE NUMBERS PROJECTED TO INCREASE 35 PERCENT BY 2050
Vienna, Va. – Many of the 29 million Americans suffering from diabetes don’t understand their severe risk for vision loss. In fact, diabetes is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the United States. To raise awareness for the impact of diabetes on vision and in recognition of Diabetic Eye Disease Month, MyEyeDr. is offering insights into detecting and managing diabetic eye diseases. 

Individuals diagnosed with diabetes should schedule a complete dilated eye exam to check for diabetic eye diseases.

The stages of diabetic eye diseases that an optometrist can diagnose include:

• Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy--caused by damage to tiny blood vessels in the retina, which can progress into proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
• Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy--caused by new, fragile blood vessels growing along the inside surface of the retina which can then burst, leaving scar tissue to contract causing retinal detachment and potential permanent vision loss. 
• Diabetic Macular Edema--characterized by fluid under the macula and can often greatly affect a patient's quality of life by interfering with regular activities like reading. This disease typically comes in conjunction with either Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy or Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy. 

“Diabetic eye diseases already claim the vision of many Americans and 35 percent more individuals will have the diseases by 2050, according to Prevent Blindness,” said Dr. Artis Beatty, Chief Medical Officer at MyEyeDr. “Maintaining control of blood sugar through diet, exercise and medication and scheduling an annual eye exam are just a few ways to mitigate these diseases.”

For the more than eight million people in the world suffering from undiagnosed diabetes, an annual eye exam is also the first step to detecting this disease.

MyEyeDr. works closely with individuals living with diabetes to detect diabetic eye diseases early and prevent future complications. Our trusted community doctors provide exceptional eye care services to all patients. Schedule your next eye exam at MyEyeDr. 

ABOUT MYEYEDR.

Each MyEyeDr. office offers comprehensive eye care services, a wide selection of designer and value prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses and standard and specialty prescription contact lenses. By welcoming all vision insurance plans and providers, MyEyeDr. makes vision health attainable for all individuals. The full-service eye care management company is headquartered in Vienna, VA.  For more information about MyEyeDr., visit www.myeyedr.com or follow us on Facebook