Lion Clubs throughout the world have one goal in common. That goal is to prevent diseases that cause visual impairments and blindness. Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of adult blindness.

Diabetic eye diseases, retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma, are a leading cause of blindness in adults. The longer someone has diabetes, the more likely he or she is to develop a diabetic eye disease.

People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop cataracts and acquire glaucoma, than those without diabetes.

It is estimated that more than 23.5 million people have diabetes, and are at risk of losing sight due complication of Diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy affects the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that transmits visual messages, via the optic nerve, to the brain.

Studies show that careful management of blood sugar levels slows the onset and progression of diabetic eye diseases. Because diabetic eye diseases usually have no symptoms, regularly dilated eye examinations, at least once a year, are important for early detection and timely treatment. 

Diabetes is a silent disease.  You can have it for years and not know it. Your risk for diabetes increases as you get older, gain too much weight, or if you do not stay active. Diabetes affects more women than men. African Americans have a higher rate of diabetes than other racial/ethnic groups.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, for more information call 800-DIABETES (342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org.

In Delaware you can call Don Post, program director for the Diabetes Prevention & Control Program, at 744-1020 or e-mail Donald.post@state.de.us.