Diabetes linked to disability risk

A research shows that adults with diabetes have a higher risk of physical disability, it was reported on BBC News.

Older people with diabetes are 50% to 80% more likely to develop a physical disability than those without, according to a review of 26 studies.

There were no distinction made between type-1 and type-2 diabetes, but most of the data involved people over the age of 65, who are more likely to have type-2.

Ensuring all people with diabetes have access to the right care is hugely important.

The research is published in the journal the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

Disability was defined as impaired mobility and the inability to perform normal activities such as bathing, eating, shopping or using transport.

The Australian researchers say the reasons behind the link are unclear, but high blood sugar levels may lead to muscle damage over time.

Pre-diabetics needs to visit optometrist to prevent Blindness

If you are diagnosed with pre-diabetes, which means that you have high levels of blood sugar but not enough to be considered diabetes. It is important to visit your optometrist as quickly as possible to avoid Diabetic retinopathy or blindness.

Patients with pre-diabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and many already have diabetic symptoms.

Diabetic retinopathy, is retinopathy (damage to the retina) caused by complications of diabetes, which can eventually lead to blindness.

Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) stated on their website that more than 18.2 million people in the US have diabetes and Diabetic retinopathy now affects 5 million Americans and causes 24,000 new cases of blindness yearly.
VSP doctor, Anastasios Fokas, O.D said that it is important for people with pre-diabetes to visit their optometrist.

“I see patients all the time who aren’t managing their disease well, and that’s just tragic,” says Dr. Fokas. “Their vision could have been saved, if only they’d managed their illness better.”

There are three major treatments for people with diabetic retinopathy that are very effective in reducing vision loss from this disease. In fact, even people with advanced retinopathy have a 90 percent chance of keeping their vision when they get treatment before the retina is severely damaged. These three treatments are laser surgery, injection of corticosteroids or Anti-VEGF into the eye, and vitrectomy.