Prevent Blindness, the leading organization for eye health and safety in the United States, has announced November as Diabetes-related Eye Disease Awareness Month. The initiative emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment of diabetes to mitigate the increased risk of vision loss and blindness associated with the disease.
To support this effort, Prevent Blindness is providing a wealth of free resources for the public, including parents and caregivers of individuals with diabetes, as well as healthcare professionals. Available materials encompass fact sheets and social media graphics in both English and Spanish, informative web pages, and an array of educational videos.
Diabetes-related eye diseases include conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, which arises when small blood vessels in the retina leak and bleed. This condition is a leading cause of blindness among American adults, affecting over 25% of those diagnosed with diabetes. Furthermore, individuals with diabetes face a heightened risk for cataracts—2 to 5 times more likely than those without the condition—and a nearly doubled risk of developing open-angle glaucoma.
Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness, stated, “By collaborating closely with healthcare professionals and following medical advice, we can collectively safeguard vision from the harmful effects of diabetes.”
Prevent Blindness has curated an extensive library of educational materials aimed at both consumers and healthcare providers, including:
Diabetes + The Eyes Educational Toolkit: This bilingual resource offers PowerPoint presentations, fact sheets, and shareable social media graphics, supported by funding from Regeneron.
Focus on Diabetes™ Video Series: A comprehensive collection of educational videos tailored for consumers, including topics such as:
- The Patient Perspective: Diabetes-related Eye Disease
- Diabetes and Your Eyes ABCs
- Newly Diagnosed with Diabetes: Eye Health Essentials
- Introduction to the Diabetes + The Eyes Educational Toolkit
Additionally, the organization has launched the Juvenile Diabetes and Vision Health web resource, along with the Diabetes + Your Eyes: Vision Health in Youth fact sheets, which provide crucial information for parents and caregivers to help protect the eye health of young individuals with diabetes. These materials are supported by UnitedHealthcare.
Prevent Blindness also addresses the intersection of diabetes-related vision loss and mental wellness. The Diabetes, Vision Loss, and Mental Wellness video features insights from patient advocate Serena Valentine, mental health expert Melissa Taussig, and diabetes specialist Lisa Golden, along with a corresponding fact sheet available in English and Spanish, funded by Regeneron and VSP Vision.
For those seeking additional guidance, the Prevent Blindness YouTube playlist offers a comprehensive range of videos designed to educate individuals living with diabetes about maintaining their eye health, including patient stories, expert insights, and practical tips.
“Diabetes can significantly affect our eye health and overall quality of life,” Todd added. “By working closely with healthcare professionals and adhering to medical advice, we can protect vision from the damaging effects of diabetes.”
About Prevent Blindness
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation’s foremost volunteer organization dedicated to preventing blindness and promoting eye health. Through public education, advocacy, community programs, and research, Prevent Blindness serves millions each year, supported by the generosity of the American public. Committed to eliminating preventable blindness in the United States, the organization also engages a network of affiliates.
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