Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors appear to play roles.
There are 25.8 million people in the United States or 8.3% of the population who have diabetes. This includes 1.9 million new cases of diabetes diagnosed in 2010. Unfortunately, 7.0 million people are unaware that they have the disease. (www.diabetes.org)
There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 results from the body’s failure to produce insulin. This accounts for 5-10% of the cases of diabetes in the U.S. Type 2 results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin). Most of the cases of diabetes in the U.S. are a result of type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness and kidney failure in the United States. Everyone with diabetes should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year as there are often no symptoms of diabetic eye disease until it has done permanent damage.
All of the Doctors Of The Eye Care Institute can perform exams to help ensure you don’t lose vision due to diabetes. Call us for an appointment and please click here to learn more about diabetic eye disease.
