Georgia Retina Physician Dr. Atul Sharma Discusses Eye-Related Complications of Diabetes on Local Radio Station
Posted by: Georgia Retina in Uncategorized
Dr. Atul Sharma Recently Discussed the Importance of Eye Health, Especially For Diabetics on 92.9 DaveFM Atlanta
Dr. Atul Sharma, a physician with Georgia Retina—one of the largest retina-only medical practices in the southeastern United States— recently discussed the importance of eye health, especially for diabetics on 92.9 DaveFM Atlanta’s Sunday morning public affairs show, “Citizen Dave.”
Dr. Sharma encouraged every adult to get an eye screening with an optometrist or ophthalmologist each year. This is especially important for diabetics.
Diabetes is the number one cause of blindness for the 20-74 year age group. The longer individuals have diabetes, the more likely they are to develop diabetes-related vision complications such as diabetic retinopathy or diabetic macular edema.
According to Dr. Sharma, the best way for diabetics to protect their vision is to keep their blood sugar controlled, stay in contact with a primary care provider, and get a yearly eye exam.
“Diabetes is an epidemic. Approximately 1.9 million people over age 20 were diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S. in 2010. As third world countries are westernizing, it is becoming a worldwide epidemic,” Dr. Sharma said. “Once the damage has been done, we try to limit that damage,” he said.
Dr. Sharma, a board-certified ophthalmologist, graduated with honors from the University of California at Berkeley, before attending Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. His ophthalmology residency at the University of Pennsylvania Scheie Eye Institute was distinguished by his appointment as Chief Resident. Dr. Sharma completed a two-year vitreoretinal fellowship at the Harvard Medical School, one of the premier fellowship programs in the nation. He has been an active participant in a number of clinical studies, and his publications have appeared in prominent medical journals.
Dr. Sharma is of Indian ancestry and was born and raised in Kenya until the age of 13, when he moved to the United States.
At Georgia Retina, patients’ vision needs are the top priority. As one of the largest retina-only medical practices in the southeastern United States, Georgia Retina specializes in treating diseases of the retina, macula, and vitreous. Its nine board-certified ophthalmologists have received special Fellowship training in vitreo-retinal diseases and surgery, and are engaged in clinical trials with the goal of advancing research into retinal diseases, their causes, and their cures.
