Vision Problems Continue to Grow Rapidly in the US

Vision problems are continuing to rise in the United States, according to a new study. Rates of vision problems that can't be treated with contact lenses or glasses have also increased in recent years. These nonrefractive vision problems include cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetes-related eye diseases. While most of these diseases occur in elderly people, diabetes can happen to very young people.

It is true that the commonness of diabetes is leading to a lot of vision loss in the United States. People who have this chronic disease are much more likely to experience problems with their sight. Diabetes is a huge problem in this country and there needs to be more methods created to deal with it. If these diabetes rates keep rising, there will be even more problems with vision in the future.

One of the best ways to keep your vision healthy is to avoid getting diabetes in the first place. To prevent diabetes, it is important to maintain a healthy weight, eat a clean diet and exercise on a regular basis. People who already have diabetes should still get their eyes checked regularly because vision loss can be prevented.

People who have a family history of nonrefractive vision problems need to see an eye doctor on a regular basis. If these diseases are detected early enough, it is possible for them to be treated. If they are discovered later, they might not be treatable.

These findings might be a little scary, but they can also serve as a reality check for people who are at risk of developing diabetes or these other nonrefractive vision problems. If you have a family history of diabetes or are overweight, you should seriously think about changing your lifestyle. Diabetes does not just put you at risk of kidney damage and heart disease; it also can impair your vision. This disease damages the blood vessels in the retina, which can lead to blindness.

Get Regular Eye Exams

Do not take your eyesight for granted and see an ophthalmologist regularly. A trained eye doctor can detect eye problems and might even be able to restore your vision with cataract surgery or laser eye surgery.

Sources:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes/DS01121/DSECTION=complications