Facts About Diabetes
and Eye Disease

Hispanics have three times the risk of developing type-2 diabetes as whites, and they also have a higher risk of complications Twenty-five percent of blacks between the ages of 65 and 74 have diabetes. Approximately 6.3% of the US population, has diabetes. An estimated 13 million have been diagnosed, but one-third are unaware that they have the disease. Everyone with diabetes is at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy, the most common form of diabetic eye disease. People with diabetes are 25 times more likely to lose vision than those without the disease. The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely is he or she to have retinopathy. In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy usually has no warning signs. Over time, however, the vision blurs and everyday tasks become more difficult. Vision lost cannot usually be regained. With timely treatment, 95% of those with significant diabetic retinopathy can be saved from substantial vision loss. Source: Lion's Eye Health Program Top of Page Back to Diabetes