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Did you know that men are less likely to attend preventative eye care appointments than women are? 

As June is Men's Health Awareness Month, at Oxford Family Vision Care, we believe that it is important to shed light on the concerning statistics regarding men’s eye health.   

According to a study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), men who have diabetes are 50% less likely than women to have had an eye exam in the past year. This is concerning since both men and women who have diabetes are at risk for developing serious eye conditions.  

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body processes glucose, also known as blood sugar. High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in your retina, leading to an increased risk of developing retinal diabetic retinopathy. This condition occurs when high blood sugar levels cause damage to the blood vessels in your retina, impairing vision and potentially leading to blindness if left untreated. If you suffer from diabetes you may need to visit your optometrist more frequently and watch out for specific eye diseases.   

At Oxford Family Vision Care, it is our mission to make sure that you know how to take care of your eyes to prevent serious eye conditions.   

To help you, in this blog post we will explain eye risks associated with diabetes and how you can take preventative measures to keep your eyes healthy.   

Keep reading to find out more about how you can protect your eyes!   

Eye Health Risks Due to Diabetes   

If you have diabetes, you are at a higher risk of vision loss than those that do not, yet nearly 60% do not get annual eye exams.  Here are some eye health complications that you should watch out for:   

• You are 25 times more likely to develop blindness than people without diabetes.   
  
  
• Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. Glaucoma, cataracts, and other eye disorders occur earlier and more often in people with diabetes.   
  
  
• Diabetic retinopathy is projected to affect 16 million people by 2050.   
  
  
• More than 90% of vision loss caused by diabetes can be avoided with early detection and treatment. 
   
• Intensive management of blood glucose levels can reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy by 27%.   
  
  

 For these reasons, we recommend that you get an eye examination at least once per year.    

How Can People Living with Diabetes Keep Their Eyes Healthy?   

When it comes to keeping your eyes healthy and living with diabetes, there are three steps you can take according to the American Diabetes Association.   

Step 1. Know your risk.   

Many people have diabetes or prediabetes for years without realizing it because the warning signs can be easily missed.   

Scheduling an annual eye exam is the best step you can take for the prevention and detection of diabetic-related eye complications.   

Step 2. Know the Warning Signs of Diabetic Eye Disease.   

Some eye diseases have no signs or symptoms until they are too obvious to ignore.  Some warning signs include:  

• Blurred vision   
  
  
• Dark spots or “holes” in your field of vision   
  
  
• Flashes of light   
  
  
• An increased amount of floaters   
  
  
• Poor night vision   
  
  

Be mindful of these signs of eye complications and visit an optometrist at the first sign of eye disease to prevent further damage.   

Step 3. Take Charge of Your Eye Health.   

It can be easy to let your eye health deteriorate. Only you have the power to stop eye problems before they become permanent. 

Regular eye exams can help to identify problems that, when treated, can prevent or delay vision loss due to diabetic eye complications.   

Unfortunately, many people never get their eyes examined. If you have diabetes and have not had your eyes examined within the last year, schedule your eye appointment today! Your eyes will thank you!   

Schedule Your Eye Appointment at Oxford Family Vision Care!   

Diabetes has become the leading cause of vision loss among individuals aged 18-64 today. Unfortunately, in many cases, there are no obvious signs or symptoms of this condition. It is a silent threat that can severely impact your eyesight without you even realizing it.  

One effective way to prevent vision loss caused by diabetes is by scheduling an annual eye appointment. Surprisingly, research shows that such appointments can prevent up to 95% vision loss associated with diabetes. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize your eye health and make regular visits to an optometrist.  

If it has been over a year since your last eye appointment or you have noticed signs of vision loss, it is time to make an appointment with Family Vision Care in Oxford, Ohio today.   

Our staff has the experience and expertise to stop or prevent serious eye conditions in their tracks.   

If it is time for your regular eye appointment, reach out to Oxford Family Vision Care now! Conveniently located in Butler County, only a short walk or drive from the Miami University campus.   

Satisfied with the Oxford Family Vision Care difference? Follow Oxford Family Vision Care on Facebook and Twitter for more eye health tips!    

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