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Diabetic Retinopathy Occurs in Pre-Diabetes
Brief Description:
New research finds that people who have pre-diabetes may suffer from diabetic retinopathy;
therefore, they should get their eyes examined regularly.
Transcript:
Thornton: A new study shows that you may not need a diagnosis of diabetes
to suffer from diabetic retinopathy — a condition where changes to small vessels
in the back of the eyes can lead to loss of vision. Pre-diabetes is a condition where
blood-glucose levels are higher than normal — but not high enough to lead to
an actual diagnosis of diabetes. Doctor Emily Chew — Deputy Director of the Division
of Epidemiology and Clinical Research at the National Eye Institute — said the
study shows people who have been told they are pre-diabetic should make sure to get
their eyes examined regularly.
Chew: I think it emphasizes the importance of having an eye exam
at diagnosis for all patients with Type Two diabetes. It's clear that patients in [a]
so-called pre-diabetic state may be having some changes that are diabetic retinopathy-like — and,
perhaps, they are true diabetic retinopathy. And these studies need to be continued
to see whether patients are at higher risk. This may predict, perhaps, further problems
down the road. So it's very important for them to have a regular eye exam.
Thornton: Diabetes affects 18.2-million Americans — and can
lead not only to blindness, but to heart disease, kidney disease, and amputations.
For more information, check out "Small Steps, Big Rewards" at www.ndep.nih.gov.
This is Matt Thornton, at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
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| Date: 06/18/2005 |
Reporter: Matt
Thornton
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Sound Bite:
Dr. Emily Chew |
Topic:
Diabetes, Blindness |
| Institute(s): NEI |
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