Diabetes, Glaucoma Put mllns. At Risk for unplanned Blindness
Unexpected sight loss is more general than you may think. Blindness often occurs without prior alert signs and in people unaware they are at risk.
The two most normal culprits of unplanned sight loss are diabetes and glaucoma. These diseases are referred as the “sneak thieves of sight” because manifestations may not arise in the early stages. By the time a person knows something is wrong, irreparable vision loss often happens.
In fact, diabetic eye disease is the principal cause of blindness in adults. An average of 55 Americans go blind from the disease day after day. The numbers threaten to rise sharply as diabetes becomes increasingly normal due to poor eating pattern, rare exercise and an aging population. One in 3 children born in the U.S. five years ago are expected to become diabetic in the course of their lives.
Diabetes causes partial or complete loss of vision in as lots as 70 percent of those who have it. Yet 30 percent of all people who have diabetes do not even know they have it. Even people who know they have diabetes downplay the risks they face.
According to a survey of diabetics sponsored by Lions Clubs International, 60 percent were not preocupied about going blind or losing a limb. In reality, 74 percent of diabetics will originate serious difficulties that could conduct to loss of sight or a limb or kidney failure.
Glaucoma, on the other hand, is a group of eye diseases that slowly hurt the alright nerves that connect the eye to the brain. For most people, this hurt occurs when stress in the eye is too high. When these nerves are hurted, vision loss may result.
Glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness in the U.S.. But like diabetes, not sufficient people know about it: An estimated 4.2 mlln. Americans have glaucoma but half aren’t aware of it.
Diabetes and glaucoma are especially dominant among blacks and Hispanics. These groups are believed to have a genetic predisposition to the diseases and are much more at risk than Caucasians. Others especially at risk for glaucoma are people through 60, those with a family history of glaucoma, diabetics and the notably near-sighted.
The good news for those at risk is that a dilated eye exam can detect the two diseases and early medicine can prevent vision loss. Vision experts urge at-risk people to have regular eye exams.
Raising awareness of diabetic eye disease and glaucoma is key to preventing unimportant blindness. Lions Clubs International works with Lions clubs, community groups and individuals to promote the require for early detection and timely medicine of the two diseases. The Lions Eye Health Program brings materials for distribution at health fairs, senior citizen centers and similar gatherings. It in addition offers tactics for raising awareness of the eye diseases.
