The Eyes Have It
Diabetic eye diseases are the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults in the United States. One common condition known as diabetic retinopathy affects the retina, the inner lining at the very back of the eye that senses light and relays it to the brain. People with diabetes are also at higher risk for disorders such as glaucoma (damage to the optic nerve), cataracts (clouding of the lens inside the eye) and age-related macular degeneration (damage to a part of the retina called the macula).
Screening is needed
Even though the need for eye exams is well documented in medical guidelines, the percentage of people who actually get them is low. A recent study published in the journal found that among insured individuals with type 2 diabetes and no eye disease, almost half had no eye exam visits over the five
