Diabetic Retinopathy is a leading cause of legal blindness among adults 20-74 years old in the United States. A study in JAMA (8/11) found that nearly 30 percent of diabetics over age 40 have diabetic retinopathy, with about 4 percent of this group having vision threatening retinopathy. Additional risk factors include male sex, higher HbA1c level, longer duration, use of insulin and higher systolic blood pressure. If you are diabetic, you should have your eyes examined by an ophthalmologist at least once per year and more frequently if diabetic retinopathy is present. Dr. Mark Weingarten is aboard certified ophthalmologist at Rochester Eye Care. If you are in need of eye care in the Detroit Metropolitan area or Oakland County, you can call his office at 248-650-2255 to schedule a diabetic eye evaluation.
