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PCON to sponsor SECO course on diabetic eye disease
 Michael D. DePaolis |
Affecting approximately 24 million Americans, it is a disease we see every day. While widely recognized for its systemic ramifications, is also the leading cause of vision loss among working adults, resulting in 20,000 new cases of blindness annually. In addition, it is a disease that costs America more than $110 billion annually in direct medical and associated costs. Perhaps most importantly, it is a disease in which optometry plays a critical role in diagnosis, monitoring, early intervention and loss prevention. It is diabetes.
In an effort to educate more optometrists on this far-reaching disease, Primary Care Optometry News is proud to co-sponsor a 2-hour continuing education course during the SECO meeting in Atlanta. Walter Lee Ball, OD, FAAO, and Jessica McCluskey, MD, will review practical steps optometrists can take in the overall management of the patient with diabetes during “A Complete Look at Diabetic Eye Care.”
 Walter Lee Ball |
 Jessica McCluskey |
Between 40% and 45% of all Americans diagnosed with diabetes have some level of retinopathy, according to Dr. Ball, and vision-threatening retinopathy develops in nearly 8%.
“Early detection leads to early treatment, which is important in reducing vision loss from this disease,” he told PCON. “With timely treatment and appropriate follow-up care, even people with advanced diabetic retinopathy can reduce the risk of blindness.”
The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial showed that better control of blood sugar levels reduces the incidence of complications of diabetic retinopathy by 63%, Dr. Ball reported. Good control of glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol are also important.
According to Dr. Ball, the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study showed a significant reduction in severe vision loss in eyes that were treated early. Treatment includes panretinal or scatter laser coagulation, focal laser therapy and vitrectomy.
Annual dilated eye exams are recommended for patients with diabetes. “People with diabetes must be made aware that a test for visual acuity, such as for glasses or a driver’s license, will not detect sight-threatening retinopathy,” Dr. Ball said.
“A Complete Look at Diabetic Eye Disease” will be held March 4, 8:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. in Room C302 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. For more information or to register, go to PCONSuperSite.com/SECO.