Diabetic damage in your retina is an indicator that damage is happening in other places in the body too, so routine diabetic eye exams are very helpful to doctors who manage diabetics. Diabetic Retinopathy is a major risk factor for vision loss in all age groups, but in those over 60 it particularly multiplies other general health conditions. For example, it multiplies the chances of death from heart disease and of having a stroke by two to four times (be sure to visit www.diabetes.org). Diabetes is currently a major topic of study because of its catastrophic effect on people’s lives and on our health care system.  The incidence of diabetes has spiked in recent decades, and is very associated with obesity and poor dietary habits. Diabetes is a most common cause of blindness, amputations, kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, and puts one at risk of a long list of other devastating or fatal conditions. Diabetes shortens life, causes great suffering, and is very expensive: make any adjustment in your lifestyle habits to avoid it if you don’t yet have it, and if you are diabetic, treat it with great respect.

It is important to have yearly diabetic exams to prevent blindness. Schedule with us if you need a diabetic eye exam.