Dr. Rick Marrotte, Board Certified Optometric Physician,wants to remind everyone that November is Diabetes Awareness Month. According to the American Optometric Association's 2007 American Eye-Q® survey, more than 60 percent of adults know that diabetes is detectable through a comprehensive eye exam. However, only 32 percent of adults who do not wear glasses or contacts, have seen a doctor of optometry in the past two years. More than 21 million Americans have diabetes, and perhaps of even greater concern, more than 6 million Americans are unaware that they have the disease," said Dr. Marrotte. "In addition to overall health complications, diabetes can cause vision changes and ultimately lead to blindness."
Optometrists can serve as the first line of detection for diabetes, since the eye is the only place on the body that blood vessels can be seen without having to look through the skin. All individuals with known diabetes need to have dilated eye exams each year. "It is especially important for individuals who are at high risk for diabetes to visit an eye doctor regularly for dilated eye exams," said Dr. Marrotte.
According to the American Diabetes Association, an estimated 54 million Americans aged 40 to 74 (40.1 percent of the U.S. population in this age group) have pre-diabetes, a condition that puts them at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
Early detection is critical in maintaining healthy vision. Additionally, several factors influence whether someone with diabetes develops diabetic retinopathy. These include controlling blood sugar control and blood pressure levels, the length of time with diabetes, race and family history.
For more information, contact Dr. Marrotte at 561-487-3340. You can also visit http://www.customvisioncare.com/ for more information or to make appointments.
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