November marks Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month.
Baltimore, MD (1888PressRelease) October 31, 2013 - "Our clinical experience demonstrates that the vision loss from diabetes related eye problems such as diabetic retinopathy can be prevented with early diagnosis and treatment and further reduced in risk through healthy lifestyle choices," commented Ophthalmologist Arturo Betancourt, M.D., Medical Director of Baltimore Washington Eye Center. "A continuing problem that we face in being even more effective in preventing diabetic vision loss is that more than a third of patients diagnosed with diabetes do not adhere to vision care guidelines recommending a dilated eye exam every year," stated Baltimore Ophthalmologist Brad Spagnolo, M.D. "November marks Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month. We are urging all diabetic patients-and even those who are pre diabetic-to have a dilated eye exam every year," said Dr. Spagnolo. "Also quite important is the need to make healthy lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of developing diabetic eye disease. Not starting, or stopping smoking, controlling cholesterol, lipids and blood pressure and eating a heart-healthy diet rich in fish, fruit and green leafy vegetables along with exercising can be very helpful in preventing vision loss from diabetes," stressed Dr. Spagnolo.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, diabetes affects approximately 26 million people in the United States. Recent data from the Prevent Blindness America Vision Problems in the U.S. report confirms that diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults 20-74 years of age. There are almost 8 million people ages 40 and older who have diabetic retinopathy, a complication characterized by a weakening of blood vessels in the retina so that they break down, causing the retina to swell, hemorrhage and become deprived of oxygen and nutrients, ultimately leading to vision loss. This represents an 89 percent increase in incidence between the years 2000-2012. Although there is no cure for diabetic eye disease, annual eye exams for diabetes patients are essential to help slow the progression of the disease.
"We are pretty concerned about what we see clinically on a day to day basis. It is not terribly surprising that a number of eye diseases and problems are increasing with the aging of the baby boomer population. But for certain it is frightening to see the dramatic spike in diabetic retinopathy cases, a consequence of the diabetes epidemic that this country is experiencing with no end in sight," explained Dr. Betancourt.
Baltimore Washington Eye Center is a leading eye care practice serving the greater Baltimore and Washington, D.C. area that staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration (AMD) and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services. Baltimore Washington Eye Center is conveniently located for patients from Arbutus, Carney, Catonsville, Clarksville, Columbia, Dundalk, Edgemere, Essex, Ellicott City, Ferndale, Glen Burnie, Kenwood, Laurel, Linthicum, Lutherville, Millersville, Odenton, Olney, Owings Mills, Reisterstown, Towson, Parkville, Randallstown, Rivera Beach, Pasadena, Severna Park, South Gate and Woodlawn Maryland.
Learn more about Baltimore Washington Eye Center by visiting us at http://www.bweyecenter.com or facebook.com/baltimorewashingtoneyecenter or follow our eye care blog.
For additional information, contact:
Phillip Harrington, Baltimore Washington Eye Center, 200 Hospital Drive, Suite 600, Glen Burnie, Maryland 21061, PHarrington ( @ ) BWEyecenter dot com, 800-495-3937 dot
SOURCE: Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C.
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November marks Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month. 
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