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Vision Exams for Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition that affects the way your body uses food, although medical experts do not know precisely what brings it on. They do know that people inherit a tendency to get diabetes, but not all people who have this tendency will get diabetes. It usually takes another factor to bring on the condition.

The reality is half of all Americans who have diabetes do not know it. Screening tests for diabetes are not part of a regular checkup, but may be recommended for people who are at risk for developing the disease. People considered to be at risk are blood relatives of people with diabetes; women with unexplained miscarriages or stillbirths, or who have had babies weighing nine pounds or more at birth; or obese adults over the age of 30.

The first step is to see your physician if you are at risk for or have symptoms of diabetes. Many diabetics who follow a daily treatment plan and maintain blood-sugar levels as close to normal as possible live normal, healthy lives.

Every person with diabetes should have an annual eye examination. Call your physician or eye doctor* if any of the following symptoms appear:

	changes in vision
	floating spots
	difficulty with night vision
	colored rings or halos around lights
	pressure or pain in the eyes
	hypersensitivity to light

For more information on how to help manage diabetes ask your doctor or call the American Diabetes Association (ADA) National Center at (800) 232-3472, or your local affiliate for a catalog of free publications.

*Medical services rendered by Optometrists require prior authorization and referal from your primary care physician and WINhealth Partners