Diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness. Studies have shown that people who control their diabetes well are less likely to develop diabetic eye disease. Therefore, well controlled diabetics are at less risk of blindness. A nice, 85 year old man came to me last week. He has lost some vision due to diabetic retinopathy. Laser surgery has helped control the vision loss but many visual activities are difficult for him. Insulin injections are required to control his diabetes and he was having trouble reading the markings on the syringe. A few times he's given himself too much or to little insulin. His family is concerned about him. I asked him to set a syringe at 15 units, a task he does a couple times each day. Both times he tried, wearing his regular eyeglasses, he missed the mark. One time he was off by 5 units and the other by 10 units. His family's concern is well founded. I evaluated his vision with Clear Image microscopic glasses and he was able to set the syringe correctly each time he tried. I have prescribed the Clear Image glasses. They will help him with other close activities but most importantly, he will be keeping his diabetes in better control.
#diabeticretinopathy
