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Exams help prevent condition
By Pamela Glason Thornton
Staff Writer
Columbus Post
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 20.8 million Americans are affected by diabetes and 41 million are estimated to have pre-diabetes. One of the most significant ways to prevent people from losing their vision – an unfortunate complication of diabetes – is eye examinations.
“Diabetes is a leading cause of adult blindness and with nearly a third of diabetics not even aware that they have diabetes, it is crucial that people visit an eye care professional regularly,” said Sherill K. Williams, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness Ohio.
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults 20 to 74 years old. There are more than 5.3 million Americans and 216,861 Ohioans over the age of 18 with diabetic retinopathy and 40 to 45 percent of all diabetics have some degree of the disease. Diabetic retinopathy weakens the small blood vessels in the retina. Retinal blood vessels can break down, leak, or become blocked, impairing vision over time.
“Persons with diabetes should have eye exams at least once a year or more frequently if they notice changes in their vision,” said Jacqueline Davis, D.O.
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