Plainfield, IN  --   The Indiana Eye Clinic will host a free seminar about diabetic eye disease, a group of eye problems that people with diabetes may face as a complication of diabetes.   Diabetic Retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of preventable blindness in American adults. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. People with diabetic retinopathy may not notice changes to vision, but over time diabetic retinopathy can get worse and cause vision loss or blindness.

Blood vessels damaged from diabetic retinopathy can cause vision loss in two ways:
1. Fragile, abnormal blood vessels can develop and leak blood into the center of the eye, blurring vision.
2. Fluid can leak into the center of the macula, the part of the eye where sharp, straight-ahead vision occurs. The fluid makes the macula swell, blurring vision. This condition is called macular edema and can occur at any stage.

All people with diabetes are at risk and everyone with diabetes should get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. The longer someone has diabetes, the more likely he or she will get diabetic retinopathy. Between 40% to 45% of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have some stage of diabetic retinopathy.  If you have diabetic retinopathy, your eye doctor can recommend treatment to help prevent its progression.

The better control of blood sugar levels slows the onset and progression of retinopathy. People with diabetes who kept their blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible also had much less kidney and nerve disease. Better control also reduces the need for sight-saving laser surgery.  Other studies have shown that controlling elevated blood pressure and cholesterol can reduce the risk of vision loss. Controlling these factors will help overall health as well as help protect your vision.

 “Diabetic eye disease is often preventable by optimizing blood sugar control,” said Carissa Barina, M.D.   Dr. Barina received her medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine and is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, Indiana Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, and the Indiana State Medical Association.

The seminar will be held on Thursday, November 5 at 12:30 pm at the Indiana Eye Clinic, 1100 Southfield Dr., Suite 1320, Plainfield.  To attend, please register on-line at www.indianaeyeclinic.com or call (317) 839-7300.   Attendees will receive educational information to take home.

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