Oftentimes, patients aren’t as familiar with their medical conditions until after a famous name admits they suffer from the very same disease or condition. Take Tom Hanks for example. The star of the new film “Captain Phillips” recently revealed on the “Late Show with David Letterman” that he has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes after battling high blood sugar for many years. After the diagnosis, he started taking steps to manage the disease, such as maintaining a healthier weight and diet. His admission about the state of his own health will hopefully encourage other people to be more vigilant about preventing or managing their diabetes.
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Hanks’ diagnosis serves as a reminder to eye care professionals that they play an important role in the fight against diabetes, especially since November is World Diabetes Month. Also, World Diabetes Day is just around the corner. Observed on November 14, 2013, World Diabetes Day was established to recognize the profound effect diabetes has on the health of 347 million people around the world. According to the blindness due to diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. Optos is banding together with eye care professionals around the world to educate their patients on diabetes and eye disease detection.
optomap® image presenting Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy with Macular Edema.
Eye care professionals can do their part to encourage their patients with diabetes to have routine eye exams, as well as by purchasing equipment that can better detect eye issues related to diabetes. Having the proper equipment for eye disease detection is essential to arming patients with the information they need to stay healthy. However, eye care professionals also have the ability to support those who are either pre-diabetic or have not been diagnosed yet. Optos’ Ultra-widefield retinal imaging technology has the ability to detect eye diseases like AMD, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy in their earliest stages. It can also detect signs of systemic diseases like diabetes, stroke, heart disease and hypertension. Alerting your patients to the presence of these eye diseases in their early stages has the potential to save their eyesight and prevent further damage.
Are you interested in fighting against diabetes and its effects on the eyes? Contact Optos for more information on how your eyecare facility can add one of our Ultra-widefield imaging devices to your practice.