Download Diabetic Health Care - Cockrell Eyecare Center

DIABETIC HEALTH CARE 2014
Diabetes is a prevalent, costly condition associated with substantial morbidity and mortality.
Managing diabetes is complex and difficult from the patient's perspective as well as the
physicians. Evidence exists that shows diabetic care is suboptimal in many patient populations
across the US. Unfortunately, for many, lifestyle behaviors like diet and physical activity are
difficult to change, and healthy behaviors are difficult to maintain for long periods. Other
obstacles can include daily medication regimens, insulin injections, and blood glucose
monitoring that can be complex and uncomfortable. Not to mention the substantial time and
money needed to manage diabetes.
Patients must be diligent in their efforts. Non diabetics should read this and be prompted to
adopt behaviors that will keep them from getting diabetes. Clearly, both patients with diabetes
as well as, non diabetics, need adequate education and social support. As a result of the
factors listed above, patients often demonstrate varying degrees of systemic involvement such
as kidney and cardiovascular disease, peripheral neuropathy and diabetic eye disease. With
respect to diabetic eye disease, it is imperative that patients have at minimum, a yearly eye
health and vision evaluation.

More Americans between the ages of 20 and 74 go blind from complications from
diabetes than any other cause. Between 40% and 45% of American adults with
diabetes have some form of bleeding in the retina called diabetic retinopathy. In
addition, if you have diabetes, you are twice as likely to develop cataracts before
the age of 60.

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. In
some people with diabetic retinopathy, retinal blood vessels may swell and leak
fluid. In other people, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the
retina ultimately causing hemorrhaging and many times, retinal detachment is the
end result.

Both men and women who have diabetes are 35% greater risk for developing
glaucoma. If you have high blood pressure along with diabetes your risk for
glaucoma rises to almost 50%. Diabetics are also 30% more likely to develop
dry eyes. Once diabetic retinopathy occurs, the risk of dry eye increases to
between 40% and 50%.
Diabetics who seek yearly eye health and vision evaluations dramatically reduce their risk of
vision loss from diabetic eye disease. Cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and dry eyes
are all treatable if diagnosed in a timely manner and treated early and aggressively. The most
important step to successful treatment is early diagnosis.
If you have diabetes and would like an eye health evaluation, please contact our offices in
Stillwater at 405-372-1715 or Pawnee at 918-762-2573. We also encourage you to visit our
website at www.cockrelleyecare.com and like us on Facebook at Cockrell Eyecare Center!