Better Health. No Hassles. “Sight for Life” Diabetes

Better Health. No Hassles million Americans have diabetes. About half of those people don’t know they have diabetes. Diabetes is the major cause of blindness among working age Americans

Better Health. No Hassles. 3 Diabetes is a Serious Disease Diabetes can be a very serious disease if not controlled. Diabetes is the third leading cause of death. An epidemic !

Better Health. No Hassles. 4 What is Diabetes? Diabetes affects the ability of our body to convert the food we eat into energy.

Better Health. No Hassles. 5 Type 1 (Insulin Dependent) Diabetes Type I or Insulin-Dependent Diabetes – Requires insulin shots to live – Usually starts under age 20

Better Health. No Hassles. 6 Type 2 (Non-dependent) Diabetes Can often control their diabetes without using insulin. Adults over age 40 who are overweight and have a family history of diabetes. Now occurring more frequently in children and adolescents.

Better Health. No Hassles. 7 When We Eat Food Food is converted into glucose. Glucose enters the bloodstream. Insulin helps to move glucose into cells Liver Pancreas Stomach Intestines

Better Health. No Hassles. 8 How our Body Uses Food Insulin allows glucose to enter the cell. The Cell Insulin Glucose Molecules

Better Health. No Hassles. 9 Type 1 Diabetes Without insulin, glucose cannot enter the cell. This person is “insulin-dependent”. The Cell Glucose Molecules

Better Health. No Hassles. 10 Type 2 Diabetes Insulin does not work properly. Glucose buildup - “hyperglycemia”. The Cell Insulin Glucose

Better Health. No Hassles. 11 Symptoms of Diabetes Frequent Urination Unusual Thirst Blurred Vision Fatigue

Better Health. No Hassles. 12 Who Develops Type 1 Diabetes? Also called “Juvenile Diabetes”. Begins suddenly in persons under age % of diabetes patients.

Better Health. No Hassles. 13 Who Develops Type 2 Diabetes Usually occurs after age 40. Gradual appearance of signs and symptoms. Occurring more frequently in children. Half are unaware they have diabetes. 90% of diabetes patients.

Better Health. No Hassles. 14 Who Is Likely to Develop Diabetes? Overweight Sedentary Family history of diabetes Advancing age Ethnic origin

Better Health. No Hassles. 15 How Does my Optometrist Detect Diabetes? Symptoms – Blurred Vision – Vision that Changes – “Double Vision” – Frequent Urination – Thirst – Fatigue

Better Health. No Hassles. 16 How Does my Optometrist Detect Diabetes? Tests – History – Visual Acuity – Eye Movements – Refraction

Better Health. No Hassles. 17 How Does my Optometrist Detect Diabetes? Tonometry Retinal Exam through a Dilated Pupil Visual Field Test Blood Test for Glucose

Better Health. No Hassles. 18 Complications of Diabetes #1 Cause of blindness #1 Cause of amputation #1 Cause of kidney failure Twice as many heart attacks Three times as many strokes

Better Health. No Hassles. 19 Benefits of Preventing & Treating Diabetes Feel better Fewer symptoms Longer, healthier life Decrease the risk for complications of eye, foot, kidney, heart and nerve diseases A lifetime of good vision!

Better Health. No Hassles. 20 Diabetes can be Prevented & Controlled Your Diabetes Team: – Optometrist – Family Physician – Podiatrist – Dentist – Diabetes Educator – Retinal Specialist – Dietitian

Better Health. No Hassles. 21 Points to Remember If you or someone you know: – Has symptoms of diabetes – Is overweight or sedentary – Is over age 40 – Has a family history of diabetes Call the Doctor! Schedule a Checkup!

Better Health. No Hassles. 22 How to Find an Optometrist To find a local Optometrist go to home page. Click onto "Doctor Locator". Medicare beneficiaries can receive assistance in getting an eye exam by calling the “Diabetes Hotline” at Find more information on the American Optometric Association website: