Study Discovers that Diabetic Vision Impairment Drops

Thu, 12 Aug 2010
Nearly 30 per cent of American diabetics over the age of 40 suffer from vision impairment due to diabetic retinopathy, with 4 per cent having an eye-threatening form of this condition.

2004 data showed that around 40% of diabetic Americans had retinopathy, with around 8 per cent having a severe form.

Dr. David M. Kendall, chief scientific and medical officer of the American Diabetes Association, has declared that the prevalence of retinopathy has decreased a bit.

However, the total burden continues to be considerable as the total number of diabetics continues to increase.

There are approximately 23.6 million American diabetics, with diabetic retinopathy being the main cause of blindness amongst adults in America.

Given that diabetics are living longer due to better care, the number of cases of diabetic retinopathy is increasing.

The problem is particularly prevalent amongst African Americans as well as Latinos. Around 39 per cent of black diabetics have retinopathy, with another 9 per cent having a vision-threatening form.

Within Latino diabetics, 34% of them have retinopathy, with 7 per cent suffering from the severe form.

Researchers have suggested that the higher prevalence amongst these groups is due to greater difficulty in accessing eye examinations and care, due to the poorer care of their diabetes .

The findings suggest the necessity for regular eye exams as well as for aggressive treatment of their diabetes.

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