Posted by: Georgia Retina in Uncategorized
Visit Your Eye Care Professional During American Diabetes Month this November
During American Diabetes Month this November, Georgia Retina, the state’s largest retina-only private practice, urges all diabetics to get an annual vision screening to help prevent vision complications from the disease.
Dr. Mark J. Rivellese, a board-certified ophthalmologist at Georgia Retina, said the practice joins the American Diabetes Association in an effort to communicate the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of diabetes prevention and control.
“Diabetes causes damage to many organ systems, including the eyes. Without proper care, diabetes can result in blindness,” Dr. Rivellese said.
“The single most important way diabetics can protect their eyes—and also kidneys, heart, and nervous system—is to monitor and control blood glucose levels. Having regular eye checks and seeing a general physician familiar with the care of diabetic patients is also important,” he added.
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of blindness in the 24-70 year age group. The longer individuals have diabetes, the more likely they are to develop the condition, and the more important it is to schedule regular annual eye exams from an eye care professional, Dr. Rivellese said.
The only way to detect diabetic retinopathy and to monitor its progression is through a comprehensive eye exam. People who have diabetic retinopathy often don’t notice changes in their vision in the disease’s early stages. As it progresses, however, diabetic retinopathy usually causes vision loss that in many cases cannot be reversed.
Nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes. An additional 79 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
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.
