Welcome To Our First Newsletter

Each month, The Eye Care Institute plans to provide you with information on eye health, general health and nutrition, and information about our practice. We hope you find our communication to be helpful and informative. Our newsletter team includes Rowena Bolin, Lynn Ferguson, Dawn Metzmeier, Jennifer Miller, Tina Montgomery and Mark Prussian. We welcome your feedback.

How Diabetes Affects The Eyes

Patients with diabetes are at higher risk for developing eye disease, including diabetic retinopathy. An annual dilated exam is required for anyone with diabetes. More frequent exams are needed once retinopathy is detected.

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of blindness for adults. Scientific advances, early detection and treatment may preserve vision that would otherwise be needlessly lost.

Diabetic retinopathy is divided into these two categories:

Nonproliferative (Background) Diabetic Retinopathy results in capillary (smallest blood vessels) leakage, capillary closure, or both. Mild to moderate vision loss may occur with macular edema due to leakage. Macular edema due to diffuse leakage causes moderate to severe vision loss.

Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy occurs when new abnormal blood vessels develop and grow on the surface of the retina. Proliferative retinopathy often occurs in people who have had diabetes for at least 5-10 years. In early proliferative retinopathy, the abnormal vessels grow without any noticeable vision changes. The new blood vessels can easily rupture, filling the vitreous (back of the eye) with blood causing either blurred vision or complete vision loss. Scar tissue often develops at this point causing retinal detachments.

Laser surgery, performed in the office, can often be used to treat diabetic retinopathy. Outpatient Vitreous Surgery can be used to treat bleeding and retinal detachments.

Want to read more on Diabetes? Visit us online www.eyecareinstitute.com

Osteoporosis and You

About 10 million Americans over the age of 50 have osteoporosis, a loss of bone mass that leads to fractures, pain and disfigurement. Many people suffer fractures due to the disease. This often leads to a downward spiral in physical and mental health and even an earlier death.

Heredity plays a major role but there is much that individuals can do to help ward off the devastation. Regular exercise and adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D help build and maintain the bones. It is never too early or too late to start.

A non-invasive bone density scan can tell your doctor if you have lost significant bone mass. If you have, it is important to take calcium supplements. Your doctor may also prescribe medications to help slow or reverse the bone loss.

For further information, contact the National Osteoporosis Foundation at http://www.nof.org