More than half of diabetics do not examine their eyes thoroughly – Vida Actual – Latest news from Uruguay and the world updated

Vamos Vamos Foundation Executive Director noted that "many patients with diabetes are diagnosed with advanced disease and diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness and weakness. irreversible visual ". López says that while it is advisable for diabetic patients to consult the ophthalmologist every six months, "there are few people who have the culture to undergo a revision."

Ophthalmologist José Santos Valenzuela explained that diabetic retinopathy is "Unfortunately, this early disease does not cause eye discomfort, resulting in difficult detection and prevention," said the specialist. . 19659002] The expert pointed out that this disease can occur in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes who usually have more than 10 years of evolution.

This complication causes chronic closure of the retinal vascular system, due to high blood sugar levels.

The problem, adds López, is that the numbers of patients with diabetes at the present time "they are alarming and the number is expected to increase in the coming years."

According to figures from the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2014 it was estimated that there were 422 million people worldwide

In Mexico, it is estimated that this disease affects between 12 and 14 million people.

However, the diabetic patient rarely attaches importance to his visual health, so Dr. Valenzuela praised the merits of diabetes. the need for all people, when diagnosed with diabetes, to see a specialist to check their eyesight.

"It's very important, because although diabetic retinopathy can not be prevented, it can be slowed down." It's just in order to raise awareness about this condition that the Vamos Vamos Foundation has launched this year the campaign "Prevention of blindness in diabetic patients" which is used to prevent blindness, he said

will continue until November of this year.

The 2018 campaign of the foundation aims to educate people with this disease the importance of early eye care, preventing the devastating consequences for the eyes of this disease.

it is about raising awareness of people suffering from this disease the importance of early eye care, thereby preventing the devastating ocular consequences of this disease, "said Mr López.

The campaign, he explained, consists of informative interviews and visual health days.

"Each activity is accompanied by eye examinations (eye exam) to badistants, to detect possible injury to the retina due to diabetes," López said.

If a lesion is detected, or bleeding due to rupture of a capillary, the patient is informed of the treatment options so that he is able to make informed decisions regarding his Valenzuela said that with the appropriate treatment "it is possible to stop the development of retinopathy, which is one of the most common complications in people who do not have their diabetes controlled."

Finally, he reiterated that this disease is asymptomatic, "that is why it is necessary that all diabetic patients undergo ophthalmologic examination every six months, in order to detect the presence of this disease in a timely manner . "