Don’t lose sight of diabetic eye disease, lower your risk with annual exams
American Indian adults
could be at risk of vision
loss from complications
of diabetes
Diabetes affects nearly 26 million
people in the United States. In addition,
another 79 million people are estimated
to have pre-diabetes, a condition that puts
people at increased risk for diabetes.
All people with diabetes, both type
1 and type 2, are at risk for diabetic eye
disease, a leading cause of vision loss
and blindness.
“The longer a person has diabetes,
the greater is his or her risk of develop
ing diabetic eye disease,” said Dr. Suber
Huang, chair of the Diabetic Eye Disease
Subcommittee for the National Eye Insti
tute’s (NEI) National Eye Health Educa
tion Program. “If you have diabetes, be
sure to have a comprehensive dilated eye
exam at least once a year. Diabetic eye
disease often has no early warning signs,
but can be detected early and treated
before noticeable vision loss occurs.”
Diabetic eye disease refers to a group
of eye problems that people with diabetes
can face as a complication of the disease
and includes diabetic retinopathy, cataract
and glaucoma.
Diabetic retinopathy, the most com
mon diabetic eye disease, is the leading
cause of blindness in adults 20-74 years
of age. According to NEI, 4.1 million
people have diabetic eye disease and its
prevalence is projected to increase to 7.2
million by 2020.
While all people with diabetes can
develop diabetic eye disease, American
Indians/Alaska Natives, African Ameri
cans, Hispanics/Latinos and older adults
with diabetes are at higher risk of losing
vision or going blind from it.
All people with diabetes should have
a dilated eye exam at least once a year to
detect vision problems early. In fact, with
early detection, timely laser surgery and
appropriate follow-up care, people with
advanced diabetic retinopathy can reduce
their risk of blindness by 90 percent.
Clinical research, supported in part
by NEI, has shown that maintaining good
control of blood sugar, blood pressure
and cholesterol can slow the development
and progression of diabetic eye disease.
In addition to regular dilated eye exams,
people with diabetes should do the fol
lowing to keep their health on TRACK:
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Take your medications.
Reach and maintain a healthy weight.
Add physical activity to your daily
routine.
Control your blood sugar, blood pres
sure and cholesterol.
Kick the smoking habit.
The National Eye Institute, part of
the National Institutes of Health, leads
the federal government’s research on the
visual system and eye diseases. NEI sup
ports basic and clinical science programs
that result in the development of sight
saving treatments.
For more information, visit
nei.nih.gov.
The National Institutes of Health is
the nation’s medical research agency. It
includes 27 institutes and centers and is
a component of the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services. NIH is the
primary federal agency conducting and
supporting basic, clinical and translational
medical research and is investigating the
causes, treatments and cures for both
common and rare diseases.
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Help Tribal youth by becoming a
volunteer for Prevention Program
If you are interested in volunteering with the Prevention Program, here are
some specific guidelines:
•
“Don’t lose sight of diabetic eye
disease,” added Dr. Huang. “Don’t wait
until you notice an eye problem to have
an exam because vision that is lost often
cannot be restored.”
For more information on diabetic eye
disease and tips on finding an eye care
professional or financial assistance for
eye care, visit nei.nih.gov/diabetes or call
NEI at 301-496-5248.
For more information about NIH and
its programs, visit nih.gov.
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Apply to be a Tribal Prevention volunteer at Human Resources. This will
include agreeing to a criminal background check and a drug screen.
Attend an orientation with Prevention staff to learn about ethics and program
policies and procedures. A volunteer training program will be developed.
For those with previous problems of alcohol/drugs, at least one year of
living a clean and sober lifestyle is required.
Participate in making a prevention video/DVD.
All people to be filmed must sign an agreement to be filmed.
The Tribal general manager and Tribal Council must approve of the final
cut before it’s released for public viewing.
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Siletz Diabetes Talking Circle 2011-2012
Third Thursday of every month, 12:00-1:30
At Tillicum Fitness Center, 1016 West Buford, Siletz
Please come if you have diabetes or want to help control or prevent diabetes in
your family! Free lunch is followed by roundtable and special speakers:
• September 15, 2011—Gene Moe, PT, Physical Therapist
Incorporating Exercise in Your Daily Activities
• October 20—George Nagel, LCSW, Mental Health Specialist
Mental Health and Diabetes
• November 17—Usa Taylor, FNP, Medical Officer
What to Expect from Your Diabetes Care
• December 15—Megan Saxton, DMD
Dental Health and the Systemic Relationship
• January 19, 2012—Warren Sparks, MD
Vasculopathy
• February 16—Lindy Taylor, MD, Community Health Director
Foot Care and Skin Care
• March 15—Sky Schroeder, Optometrist
Diabetic Retinopathy
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Siletz News
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November 2011
Any question regarding this process, please contact Jenifer Metcalf,
Prevention coordinator, at jeniferm@ctsi.nsn.us or 800-600-5599 or
541-444-9618.
CEDARR
Community Efforts Demonstrating the Ability to Rebuild and Restore
Mission Statement: We will utilize resources to prevent the use of alcohol
and other drugs, delinquency and violence; we will seek to reduce the barriers
to treatment and support those who choose abstinance.
Nov. 2 • Noon
Behavioral Health Conf. Room
Siletz Community Health Clinic
200 Gwee-Shut Road, Siletz
Topics to be discussed:
Networking for a healthier community and prescription drug take-back sites