Diabetic Awareness!

November is Diabetic Eye Awareness Month!
500 million people worldwide have diabetes and diabetic retinopathy! It is the 4th leading cause of
blindness in the world!
Adults with diabetes who are 50 years of age or older are at a higher risk for developing diabetic
retinopathy, about ½ of patients in this population category get annual comprehensive dilated eye
exams. With early detection, treatment and appropriate follow-up care severe vision loss can be
prevented by 95%!
The National Eye Institute recommends using the helpful acronym T.R.A.C.K to manage diabetes
T- take your medications as prescribed by your doctor
R- reach and maintain a healthy body weight
A- add more physical activity to your daily routine
C- control your “ABC’s” – A1C, Blood pressure, and Cholesterol levels
K- kick the smoking habit. Or Keep not choosing to smoke.
Diabetes is a complex disease, it requires close monitoring and management between you and your
doctor. Diabetes can affect multiple body systems, especially vision. The onset of diabetic retinopathy or
diabetic nephropathy is often and usually a first indication that a patient is diabetic. A Multi-specialty
approach in diabetic management is used for best care.
Your specialist including physicians, endocrinologist, ophthalmologist and optometrist agree that
communication between them is crucial for management of diabetes. Let your Optometrist know if you
are diabetic at your yearly eye exam and take control of diabetes. 

Author

Domenico Rinaldi, OD Dr. Rinaldi received a BA in Biology from Whittier College and went on to receive a doctorate in Optometry from the Southern California College of Optometry. Dr. Rinaldi completed his rotations at Ocular disease intense sites, including several Local Veteran Hospitals (LA ambulatory and Long beach VAs), and has worked with Ophthalmology co-managements helping to diagnose Retinal detachments, Diabetic Retinopathy and Age-Related Macular Degeneration, his studies and interest are in ocular health and vision preservation. Dr. Rinaldi strives to make every patient's experience fantastic. "Patient satisfaction and education is the most important aspect of my office visits, I believe it is important that my patients understand how their eyes function and walk away feeling empowered to protect the health/clarity of their vision."