Houston Doctors on Preventing Vision Loss from Diabetic Eye Problems

"The vision loss from diabetes related eye problems such as diabetic retinopathy can be prevented with early diagnosis and treatment," commented Ophthalmologist Dr. Da-Thuy Van of The Eye Clinic of Texas. End Quote

Houston, TX (1888PressRelease) October 26, 2013 - "It is terribly concerning that more than a third of patients diagnosed with diabetes do not adhere to vision care guidelines recommending a dilated eye exam every year," she stated. "As part of Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month we want to urge all patients with diabetes or who are even pre-diabetic to have a dilated eye exam every year. The longer a person has diabetes, the greater his or her risk for developing diabetic retinopathy."

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.

"While it is not surprising that the incidence of some eye diseases and problems is increasing with the aging of the baby boomer population, 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 Ophthalmologist Bernard Milstein, M.D.

"Prevention of diabetic eye disease requires regular dilated eye exams each year," reiterated Allan Fradkin, M.D. "Equally as important is the role that patients can play in helping to reduce their risk of developing diabetic eye disease by not smoking, controlling their cholesterol and lipid profile and blood pressure, as well as working to eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fish, fruit and green leafy vegetables and exercising," stressed Dr. Fradkin.

The Eye Clinic of Texas is an affiliate of Houston Eye Associates, the largest ophthalmology clinic in the nation. We are a leading eye care practice serving the greater Houston, Galveston, League City and Texas City area that provides all aspects of general, medical, surgical, laser and optical eye care. Our Board Certified Ophthalmologists perform Laser Eye Surgery such as LASIK, Cataract Surgery & Lens Implants using advanced technology IOLs to correct complex problems such as astigmatism and near vision focusing problems including presbyopia, diagnosis and management of glaucoma, diagnosis and management of diabetic retinopathy, diagnosis and management of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Pediatric Ophthalmology. Texas EyeWear at The Eye Clinic of Texas provides personalized consultation and fitting of eyeglasses and eyeglass lenses for greater Houston, Galveston, League City and Texas City area patients.

To learn more about The Eye Clinic of Texas you may visit http://www.ecot.com or http://www.facebook.com/ecot.lasik or follow our eye care blog.

For additional information, contact:
Amy Trittel, The Eye Clinic of Texas, 2302 Avenue P, Galveston, Texas 77550, atrittel ( @ ) ecot dot com, 1-800-423-3937

SOURCE: Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C.
http://www.aboutcataractsurgery.com
http://www.seewithlasik.com

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