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Black Individuals Are at Increased Risk for Eye Disease

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Studies show that variance in eye disease may be linked to race, and Black individuals may be at increased risk for chronic eye conditions like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

November Is National Diabetes Month

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 37.3 million Americans have diabetes, and one in five people with diabetes are unaware they have it. November is National Diabetes Month. Because diabetic eye disease is a leading cause of vision loss, it’s important to detect diabetic eye disease early and get treatment as soon as possible.

Black Individuals and Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) involves damage to the eye’s retina that occurs with long-term diabetes. Although there are few symptoms of DR in the early stages, people may experience floaters, blurred vision, blindness, shadows and missing areas of sight as the disease progresses. Data from the Salisbury Eye Evaluation (SEE) study found that Black individuals were four times as likely as white individuals to have vision loss from diabetic retinopathy. Additionally, DR causes 17 percent of vision loss among Black individuals.

Glaucoma and Black Individuals

Glaucoma is a term for a family of eye diseases that affect the optic nerve, which transmits visual signals to the brain. Often known as the “sneak thief of sight,” glaucoma usually has no symptoms in the early stages. However, once the condition is diagnosed, it often has already caused permanent vision loss. Black individuals are six times more likely to go blind from glaucoma, and the disease typically strikes this patient population 10 years earlier than other ethnicities.

Importance of Annual Comprehensive Eye Exams

The most effective way to prevent eye disease is by scheduling annual comprehensive eye exams.

“Being that Black patients do not get eye exams as early or frequently, this increases risk for or prevalence of conditions like glaucoma and diabetic or hypertensive retinopathy going undetected,” said Darryl Glover, OD, a private practitioner from Durham, North Carolina. “This puts Black patients in a disadvantaged position by setting off a cascade of events that negatively impact how they function in life. Overall, we need to see all walks of life earlier and more frequently, especially in the Black community” (Healio).

Schedule an Eye Exam Today

Your eye health is a precious gift. When was the last time you had a comprehensive eye exam? If you are not under the care of a board-certified ophthalmologist, you are putting your eyesight at risk. Individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension must be especially vigilant, as they may be at increased risk for eye disease. Remember that prevention is always less expensive than treatment.

An eye exam takes less than an hour, and your doctor will evaluate your vision and eye health. Our eye care centers are located nationwide, and their friendly staff can schedule you for an appointment at your convenience.

Schedule Your Comprehensive Eye Exam Before the Year Ends

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The calendar year is coming to a close. You can take advantage of your health insurance benefits by scheduling a comprehensive eye exam or eye procedure before the end of the year.

If you haven’t maximized your health insurance benefits, it’s time to take action. One of the best ways to stretch your healthcare dollars is to schedule appointments and procedures after you meet your annual deductible. Your healthcare deductible is the amount you must pay for covered medical procedures before your insurance company begins to contribute.

Most deductibles reset on Jan. 1, so now is the time to evaluate whether you should schedule a comprehensive eye exam or cataract surgery. If you meet your deductible, your out-of-pocket responsibility for an elective eye procedure could be considerably less.

Importance of Comprehensive Eye Exams

Yearly eye exams are important for people of all ages and are essential for preventive care. Eye exams test more than your vision. They provide an assessment of your overall health. During a comprehensive eye exam, your doctor will test you for focusing problems, eye diseases and refractive errors (like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism).

Some of the most common eye diseases include the following:
Cataracts: a clouding of the eye lens that will affect everyone at some point
Glaucoma: a family of eye diseases that affect the optic nerve
Macular degeneration: a condition that destroys a person’s sharp, central vision

An eye exam can often detect conditions like hypertension and high cholesterol. If you have diabetes, you are at increased risk for cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. Therefore, it is essential to have regular eye exams to manage your condition and preserve your vision.

Why You Should Schedule an Eye Procedure at an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC)

If your ophthalmologist detects an eye disease like a cataract, you can have it removed with cataract surgery. The good news is that you don’t have to schedule cataract surgery or an eye procedure at a hospital. An ambulatory surgery center (ASC) is a less-expensive option and offers exceptional patient care.

An ASC is often smaller than a hospital, which makes it easier to navigate, and it usually has convenient parking. In addition, most procedures at an ASC will be more cost-effective because they don’t have all the overhead costs of a hospital. Finally, an ASC dedicates itself to specific procedures like cataract surgery rather than emergency procedures, so your appointment is less likely to get delayed or rescheduled.

Make an Appointment With an Ophthalmologist

Have you met your deductible already? Schedule your procedure before the end of the calendar year to take full advantage of your health plan’s benefits. Your deductible will reset soon, so contact your insurance company to verify your status.

Are you looking for a board-certified ophthalmologist? It is simple to locate one of our eye care centers. Our centers are located nationwide, and our doctors are accepting new patients. Call today and request an appointment before the end of the year.

Some Foods May Lower Your Risk for Cataracts

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Some risk factors for cataracts are out of your control, but you can choose certain healthy foods to lower your risk of developing cataracts.

What Causes Cataracts?

Cataracts develop naturally as part of the aging process. Around age 40, proteins in the eye’s lens clump together, creating a cloudy area or cataract. Several risk factors can cause cataracts to develop more quickly or at a younger age. These may include the following:

  • Using tobacco or alcohol
  • Diseases like diabetes, glaucoma or hypertension
  • Overexposure to sunlight, ultraviolet rays or x-rays
  • Eye trauma
  • Nutrition deficiency

Foods That Fight Against Cataracts

Certain foods may help reduce your risk for cataracts or delay cataract development.

Eggs

Eggs are a high-quality protein recommended for most adults for a heart-healthy diet. In addition, egg yolks are high in zeaxanthin, a pigment that promotes eye health. One study found that for every 10 milligrams of zeaxanthin, patients experienced a 26 percent decrease in cataract development.

Salmon

Salmon is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which is associated with lower cataract risk. It also contains high amounts of selenium and iodine. Some good plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids are flax seeds, chia seeds and walnuts.

SunGold Kiwi

Vitamin C significantly impacts eye health, especially when it comes to cataracts. Studies show that higher levels of vitamin C reduce the risk of a cataract. Kiwi has more vitamin C than any commonly eaten fruit. In particular, SunGold kiwi is among the most nutritionally dense fruits and contains more than 100 percent of the recommended vitamin C intake.

Pumpkin

Research proves that diets rich in vitamins A and E are associated with fewer cataracts. One serving of pumpkin provides 300 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin E and 10 percent of vitamin A. You don’t have to wait until fall to indulge in pumpkin. Add pumpkin puree to smoothies, muffins and oatmeal.

Comprehensive Eye Exams Diagnose Cataracts Early

An ophthalmologist can examine you for cataracts as part of a comprehensive eye exam. Your treatment will depend on how fully the cataract has developed. Surgery is the only way to eliminate a cataract, but you may not require surgery immediately. However, you will want to schedule cataract surgery once cataracts begin to interfere with driving, reading or housework.

Cataract surgery is one of the most common and safe procedures performed in the United States. A surgeon will remove the clouded lens from your eye and replace it with a clear, artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). These lenses will never wear out and are customized to your eye to provide near vision, distance vision or both.

Are you under the care of a board-certified ophthalmologist? We can help. Our physicians are accepting new patients and are ready to meet your vision needs. In addition, our eye care centers are located nationwide and offer complete vision care for the entire family.

Preventing Pink Eye as Students Go Back to School

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August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, a time to focus on protecting and maintaining children’s eye health. Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is a common eye condition in school-aged children, but it is often improperly diagnosed, which can sometimes worsen the infection.

What Is Conjunctivitis or Pink Eye?

As school begins, parents can anticipate their children contracting contagious illnesses like the common cold, strep throat and pink eye. Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, develops when infection or allergies irritate the conjunctiva, the mucus membrane that covers the inside of the eyelids and the front of the eye. Pink eye is the most frequently diagnosed eye infection in the United States, infecting up to six million people annually. Typical symptoms of pink eye include the following:

  • Pinkness or redness in the white of the eyes
  • Increased tear production
  • Swelling of the conjunctiva
  • Burning or itching
  • Feeling like there is a foreign object in the eyes
  • An urge to rub the eyes

Three Common Types of Pink Eye

There are three common types of conjunctivitis with three unique causes.

Viral conjunctivitis is the most common type of pink eye. It is highly contagious and can easily transmit in schools and populated areas. Often occurring in conjunction with a cold, respiratory infection or the flu, viral pink eye can begin in one eye and spread to the other. This type often causes a watery discharge, rather than a thick discharge.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is also very contagious. It often causes sore, red eyes with a thick discharge that causes the eyelids to crust and stick together. Sometimes, bacterial conjunctivitis develops along with an ear infection or strep throat.

Allergic conjunctivitis develops due to an allergic reaction to an environmental irritant like animals, pollen or cigarette smoke. It is not contagious but can cause inflammation, itching and redness.

How to Treat Pink Eye

Most cases of pink eye develop from viruses or allergies and do not respond to antibiotics. Viral conjunctivitis usually improves in one to two weeks without treatment. Although bacterial conjunctivitis responds to antibiotic eye drops, most cases of bacterial pink eye are mild and improve within a week or two without medication.

Unfortunately, doctors overprescribe antibiotics for pink eye symptoms. A study by the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center found that 60 percent of patients with conjunctivitis symptoms receive a prescription for antibiotics, even though antibiotics are often not necessary. In addition, about 20 percent receive antibiotic steroid drops, which can worsen the infection and potentially cause antibiotic resistance.

Call Your Eye Doctor if Your Child Has Pink Eye Symptoms

If your child exhibits symptoms of pink eye, call your ophthalmologist instead of going to a walk-in clinic. Often, conjunctivitis will clear up on its own without medication. Your eye doctor can suggest ways to help your child stay comfortable and prevent spreading the infection to other family members.

Before school begins, schedule a yearly comprehensive eye exam for your family. An eye exam takes less than an hour, and you’ll ensure your family’s vision is healthy and clear when classes resume. You can talk to your eye doctor about any vision or eye concerns you may have. If you are not under the care of a board-certified ophthalmologist, our eye care centers are here to meet your needs.

Increased Screen Time Threatens Children’s Eyesight

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A new study suggests increased time on digital devices has adversely affected children’s eye health and general well-being.

Digital Device Usage Increased During Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic caused millions of children to adjust to remote learning and to depend on digital devices for their education. A recent paper published in the Journal of School Health analyzed global research studies conducted during the pandemic and discovered that children and teens have significantly increased their screen time.

Worldwide research studies found the following to be true:

  • Almost 90 percent of Canadian parents said their children were exceeding the two-hour guideline suggested by health authorities.
  • Average screen time for children increased by one hour per day in Germany.
  • A Chilean study found preschool and toddler children averaged more than three hours per day of screen time.
  • Researchers in Tunisia said children’s screen time increased 111 percent.

Digital Eye Strain Tied to Health Risks

When children do not have healthy limits on screen time, their health can suffer. For example, too much time on electronic devices puts children at risk for digital eye strain, which is characterized by itchy, red, watery eyes that can feel irritated and uncomfortable. Staring at screens can also increase the likelihood of dry eye, uncorrected refractive errors and unstable binocular vision. It can also result in shoulder and neck strain and back pain.

Using digital devices can also have long-term health consequences. Because it is a passive activity, excessive screen time can cause overeating and even obesity.

“It is really important to be aware of the potential risks to children’s short and long-term eye and general health. It is essential that devices are used appropriately and that activities away from digital devices are encouraged, such as playing outdoors,” said lead author Professor Shahina Pardhan, director of the Vision and Eye Research Institute at Anglia Ruskin University (Medical Xpress).

Tips to Prevent Digital Eye Strain

Parents can help children set boundaries for electronic device usage. Have a conversation with your children to help them understand that screen time can affect their vision and overall health. Here are some tips for discussing with your children:

  1. Establish time limits for digital device usage.
  2. Remind children that homework on a digital device takes priority over playing online games or watching television.
  3. Consider limiting video games, online games and television to weekends.
  4. Teach your children the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something at least 20 feet away.

Schedule Comprehensive Eye Exams for Your Family

One of the best ways to maintain healthy vision for the whole family is to schedule an annual comprehensive eye exam with dilation. Annual eye exams ensure an eye doctor can diagnose any refractive or focusing error or eye condition that could affect your child’s vision.

An ophthalmologist can also provide you with suggestions on creating healthy boundaries regarding screen time. Sometimes, your kids will be more willing to take advice from their eye doctor than you!

Don’t forget to also make an eye exam for yourself. A yearly checkup is essential for diagnosing common eye diseases like cataracts,  glaucoma and macular degeneration.

Find an Ophthalmologist in Your Area

Are you looking for a board-certified ophthalmologist near you? We can help. Use our Find a Physician locator tool to find an ophthalmologist who is accepting new patients in your area.

Retinal Test May Help Detect Risk of Early Alzheimer’s

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New research finds that a simple eye test could help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in earlier stages.

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are usually diagnosed when people act uncharacteristically or begin to be forgetful. Traditional MRI scans can help doctors detect Alzheimer’s disease but not in early stages. More advanced MRI scans can help detect the disease in earlier stages but these are still investigational and this type of imaging would be costly.

A recent study published in JAMA Ophthalmology suggests that a retinal exam can predict Alzheimer’s disease at a much younger age.

Retinal thinning could be indicator of Alzheimer’s

Researchers from the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, analyzed data from 865 Dunedin Study participants at age 45, looking specifically at the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL).

Participants with thicker GCL and RNFL exhibited stronger cognitive performance in childhood and adulthood. However, thinner RNFL was associated with a more significant decline in mental processing speed in childhood and adulthood. According to the study, RNFL could be an indicator of brain health.

“Given we haven’t been able to treat advanced Alzheimer’s, and that the global prevalence of the disease is increasing, being able to identify people in the preclinical stage, when we may still have the chance to intervene, is really important,” said Ashleigh Barrett-Young, Ph.D., Research Fellow at University of Otago (Medical Xpress).

Although further research is necessary to determine whether a thinning retina can indicate Alzheimer’s, this study provides hope that optical scans could assist in predicting cognitive decline.

Comprehensive eye exams can diagnose early eye disease

When is the last time you scheduled a comprehensive eye exam with dilation? Yearly eye exams can diagnose many common eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration, which can cause irreversible eye damage.

Getting annual eye checkups can also diagnose cataracts, a common vision problem. Cataract-related vision loss is treatable through cataract surgery, a safe, routine procedure. On average, cataract surgeons perform about 10 million cataract operations every year to restore eyesight.

Finally, comprehensive eye exams can also help detect chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes because these diseases target the eyes. It has been said that your eyes are a window to your overall health, so make your eye health a priority.

Find an ophthalmologist in your area

If you are looking for a board-certified ophthalmologist near your home, we can help. Use our Find a Physician locator tool. Our doctors are accepting new patients and are ready to provide you and your family members with compassionate care. Call today and make an appointment for your family.

Diabetes Meds May Protect Against Glaucoma, Study Shows

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Scientists are researching new ways to prevent and treat glaucoma, a family of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve.

Positive results in a recent study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology link a popular class of diabetes medications with glaucoma prevention.

The medications, called GLP-1R agonists (Trulicity and Rybelsus), may also protect against glaucoma in diabetic patients, according to the study.

The results were found by researchers in the Scheie Eye Institute at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, according to a Medical XPress article. The study findings suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists may decrease a diabetic patient’s risk of developing glaucoma by half.

Diabetes and Glaucoma

More than 30 million Americans have diabetes, including 12 million seniors. People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop glaucoma.

In the study, researchers looked at retrospective data of 1,961 diabetic patients who were new users of this class of drugs and matched them to 4,371 unexposed control subjects, according to a Medical Xpress article. After 150 days on average, 10 patients in the medicated group were newly diagnosed with glaucoma (0.5 percent) compared to 58 patients (1.3 percent) in the control group.

A Penn Medicine study from 2020 supports the findings, which found that GLP-1R agonists reduced neuroinflammation and prevented retinal ganglion cell death in mice.

“It was very encouraging to see that a popular diabetes medication could significantly reduce the risk of developing glaucoma, and our study suggests that these medications warrant further study in this patient population,” said Qi N. Cui, MD, Ph.D., with Brian VanderBeek, MD, MPH, both assistant professors of Ophthalmology at Penn.

Notably, this class of drugs also has shown similarly protective effects against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases in animal models. Currently, clinical trials are underway to test the medications against neurodegenerative diseases, conditions in which cells of the human brain and spinal cord are lost.

National Glaucoma Awareness Month

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Glaucoma affects 3 million Americans and is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide.

In addition to diabetes, risk factors for glaucoma include:

  • Age 45 or older
  • Family history of glaucoma
  • History of injury to the eye
  • African American
  • History of steroid use, either in the eye (drops) or systemically (orally or injected)
  • Nearsighted (myopic)
  • Farsighted (hyperopic)
  • History of elevated intraocular pressure

Visit an Ophthalmologist

There is no cure for glaucoma. Early detection is of primary importance because there are usually no symptoms until permanent vision loss has occurred.

You should schedule a comprehensive eye exam and let your ophthalmologist know if you are at risk for glaucoma. Your doctor will perform several tests to diagnose glaucoma.

Doctors are continually working to discover new treatments for glaucoma. The objective of treatment is to reduce intraocular pressure and slow down the effects of glaucoma. It is important to have regular checkups and take prescribed medication as directed.

Do you need an eye doctor who is also a glaucoma specialist? Use our Find a Physician locator tool.

COVID Quarantine May Have Worsened Children’s Vision

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A recent study suggests that pandemic lockdown may have increased myopia, or nearsightedness, in school-aged children.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness or shortsightedness, can run in families. Still, environmental factors, such as spending too much time indoors, can contribute to children becoming nearsighted.

The 2020 lockdown closed schools across the country and confined millions of children to their homes. While quarantine was essential to protect against the COVID-19 virus, too much time indoors may have negatively impacted children’s vision health.

Lockdown Affected Children Ages Six to Eight the Most

Less time outdoors is a significant risk factor for myopia. According to research published in JAMA Opthalmology, COVID quarantine may have increased myopia in children ages 6 to 13 in China, particularly children between ages 6 and 8. In addition, higher levels of screen time due to online classes and more time spent on electronic devices can directly affect children’s vision according to researchers.

Experts theorize that less time outdoors affects young children more significantly because their eyes are in an earlier stage of development, and myopia may be easier to control in younger children.

Send Children Outside and Limit Screen Time

Parents have an instrumental role in protecting their children’s vision. Encourage your child to play outside every day and limit screen time, even in colder months. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time (except video-chatting) in children younger than 18 to 24 months and only educational media for young children.

New research from The Sleep Foundation also suggests blue light from electronic devices can impair children’s sleep. Artificial light disrupts the natural sleep-wake cycle by fooling the brain into not producing melatonin before bed.

Schedule an Eye Exam Before the End of the Year

It’s hard to believe that we’re approaching the end of the year. Have you scheduled eye exams for your family? A comprehensive eye exam is one of the best decisions you can make for your eye health, and it only takes about an hour. Your eye doctor can assess your visual acuity and screen you for common eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration.

Most vision plans include one comprehensive eye exam per year for covered individuals, so don’t let time get away from you. Call today to make appointments for the whole family.

Find an Ophthalmologist Near You

Are you seeking quality care from a board-certified ophthalmologist? We can help. Click here to find an eye doctor near you. Our physicians are accepting new patients and are ready to care for your vision health.

Children Need Sunglasses Too!

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Children often spend more time outside than adults, but have you noticed that most kids on the playground or ballfield don’t wear sunglasses?

Most children receive more annual sun exposure than adults. This increased exposure to sunlight increases the risk of eye damage from ultraviolet (UV) light.

Parents know it can be difficult to get kids to wear shades, but ophthalmologists emphasize the importance of eye protection in developing children. In adults, the lenses of the eyes have matured, but children’s eye lenses cannot filter out UV rays as efficiently. Increased exposure to sunlight can cause short-term problems such as:

  • Photokeratitis, or sunburn of the eye
  • Dry, irritated or bloodshot eyes

Long-term sun exposure may have lasting effects and make children more prone to eye growths known as pterygia or eye diseases like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

Minimizing UV Exposure in Children

According to the World Health Organization, 80 percent of children’s UV exposure occurs before turning 18. As a result, parents can take an active role in their children’s eye health to prevent degenerative eye diseases.

There are many ways parents can help care for their children’s eyes. Because sun damage is cumulative, it is best to begin UV protection at an early age. Here are some ways you can decrease your children’s UV exposure:

  1. Purchase sunglasses with 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. Sunglasses do not need to be expensive, but they should meet the American National Standards Institute guidelines. Glasses should block between 99 and 100 percent of UVA (long-length) and UVB (short-length) rays. If your child wears corrective lenses, consider photochromic (transition) lenses. Transition lenses offer 100 percent UV protection.
  2. Select a wraparound lens. It is essential to protect the sides of the eyes, so choose a wraparound lens. You can let your child help select the style, but make sure the sunglasses are durable as well.
  3. Choose the right sunglasses for various activities. If your child is in sports, you may want to consider impact-resistant, scratch-proof polycarbonate lenses. Green or amber lenses are also great for contrast.
  4. Buy a spare pair of shades. Everyone forgets things from time to time, so keep a pair of sunglasses in each vehicle or your bag.
  5. Be the example. Parents should wear sunglasses daily to set the standard for proper eye care.
  6. Apply sunscreen and wear hats. In conjunction with sunglasses, have your children wear sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat to minimize UV exposure (Medical Xpress).

Schedule a Comprehensive Eye Exam

Help your children’s vision stay healthy by making annual comprehensive eye exams for the whole family. A complete eye exam tests for refractive errors, focusing problems and common eye diseases like cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. Eye diseases often don’t have symptoms in the early stages, but your eye doctor can detect a developing condition during an eye exam.

Find an Ophthalmologist Near You

Our ophthalmologists are accepting new patients and are ready to care for your family. Use our Physician Locator Tool to call and make an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam today.

African Americans Can Reduce Risk for Eye Disease

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Some eye diseases disproportionately affect African Americans. African Americans are more likely to develop certain eye diseases and less likely to receive necessary eye surgery than Caucasians.

Research shows African American individuals are at increased risk for cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

Disparities in Cataract Treatment

Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision loss. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, more than 24.4 million Americans over 40 have cataracts. By age 75, at least 50 percent of Americans will have a cataract.

Cataracts are treatable with cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is the most common procedure performed on Medicare beneficiaries, and it has a success rate of over 90 percent. However, studies show African Americans are less likely than Caucasians to have cataracts removed.

African Americans Are at Higher Risk for Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a family of eye diseases that damages the optic nerve and can cause permanent vision loss. Besides cataracts, glaucoma is the most common cause of vision loss among African Americans and individuals of African heritage. African Americans are six to eight times more likely to develop glaucoma than Caucasians and the vision loss from glaucoma is irreversible (Glaucoma Research Foundation). Because there is no cure for glaucoma, the only way to preserve vision is to diagnose and treat glaucoma in the early stages.

Diabetic Retinopathy Incidence Is Increasing

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that can develop in individuals who have diabetes. Diabetes damages retinal blood vessels which can cause vision loss and blindness. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in adults between the ages of 20 and 74.

The longer people have diabetes, the more likely they are to develop diabetic retinopathy. More than 800,000 African Americans have diabetic retinopathy, and experts predict the numbers will increase to 1.2 million by 2030. One of the biggest challenges is encouraging people with diabetes to schedule annual comprehensive eye exams so eye doctors can diagnose diabetic retinopathy early.

Importance of Comprehensive Eye Exams

Many eye diseases do not have symptoms in the early stages, but they can cause long-term vision loss or even blindness if they go untreated. Almost 190,000 African Americans suffer from low vision due to undiagnosed or untreated eye conditions.

If it has been over a year since your last comprehensive eye exam, it is time to make an appointment with an ophthalmologist. In less than one hour, an eye doctor can assess your vision, test for eye diseases and provide you with helpful information about your eye health.

Find an Ophthalmologist Near You

Enter your zip code to find an eye doctor in your area, and call today to make an appointment.