November is National Diabetes Month

November is National Diabetes Month and the National Eye Institute recommends that people with diabetes get annual dilated eye exams. One of the most prevalent and incapacitating complications of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy and a dilated eye exam is crucial in diagnosing and treating the condition early. In addition to diabetic retinopathy, people with diabetes are at a higher risk for cataracts and glaucoma. Diabetic retinopathy typically has no symptoms until vision loss occurs which is why it is so crucial for diabetics to have dilated eye exams. Early detection can help prevent 90% of diabetes-related blindness. Throughout National Diabetes Month, free diabetic eye disease resources are being distributed by the National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP) to health professionals and community organizations that serve people with diabetes. You can visit http://www.nei.nih.gov/nehep to learn more about the NEHEP and get materials.* Elise Ervin Staff Writer