Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) / Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)

Diabetic Retinopathy and
Diabetic Macular Edema

People of Color are 2-3 times more likely to develop eye-disease from their diabetes.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME) are among the most common causes of blindness in the US and the lead cause of vision loss in persons with diabetes. Diabetes impacts Patients of Color more than other communities as we have higher rates of diabetes, and we have more severe complications from diabetes than the general population, including eye disease.

People of color are also less likely to undergo screening for DR and DME, despite their higher prevalence of the condition—yet catching and treating these diabetes-related eye diseases, ASAP, is vital to keeping your vision.

The good news is that we can reduce our risk for diabetes-related eye disease by ensuring we are actively managing our diabetes and getting a yearly diabetic eye screening.

When we share our health care journey, we can inspire someone who looks like us to act, which may improve their outcomes and in this, case, prevent them from going blind.

Underrepresented communities are at increased risk

When more people like us share our stories, the more we can help other patients.

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Hispanic American Community

According to a recent study, nearly 50% of all adult Hispanic Americans with diabetes have some type of diabetic retinopathy (DR), a progressive disease affecting vision.

The study also found that the longer someone had diabetes the greater likelihood of them getting DR, which is a leading cause of blindness among working-age Americans.

Those that have diabetes for 15 years or more were more than three times more likely to have DR and 23 times more likely to have severe DR, than those newly diagnosed.

Hispanic Americans have a higher rate of more severe vision-threatening DR compared to the general population.

That is why it is so important to ensure you are getting regular eye screenings if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, type 1 or 2.

African American Community

While 37.3 million Americans has diabetes, research shows that diabetes impacts African Americans at a higher rate. African American adults are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes in the US compared to the general population.

African Americans are also at a higher risk for diabetic macular edema (DME), an eye-related complication of diabetes.

In fact, research shows that African Americans have the highest rates of DME, even though Hispanic American have the highest rates of diabetes.

The research points to social determinants of health, the factors in our environment, like where we were born, live and work, that are responsible for this increased risk. These structural inequities block access to and use of health care for People of Color.

That is why it is so important to ensure you are getting regular eye screenings if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, type 1 or 2.

The importance of regular diabetes-related eye examinations

Diabetes-related eye examinations can see how your diabetes is affecting your vision and eye health. It can help diagnose DR and DME. Screening and early treatment can often stop or reverse the level of DR and protect eyesight.

Early detection of DR is critical in preventing visual loss.

But not all eye exams are the same. A diabetic eye exam will include the following:

Vision testing: to check your vision with an eye chart
Pupil dilation: your pupils will be dilated with eye drops so the doctor can get a much better view of the back of your eye (fundus)
Fundoscopy: an examination of the back of the eyeball (fundus) where the retina, the blood vessels that feed the retina and the optic nerve are located
Fundus photography: in addition to fundoscopy, your eye doctor may take a wide-angle, high-resolution photograph of the back of your eye. The advantage is that it creates a permanent record of the appearance of your retina and retinal blood vessels which can be used as a comparison during future screening tests.
Glaucoma testing

A diabetic eye exam will focus on any possible eye health problems that can be caused by diabetes, including:

Diabetic retinopathy (DR)
Diabetic macular edema (DME)
Cataracts
Glaucoma

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of blindness among American adults, occurs when blood vessels inside the eye start to leak. Left untreated, the leakages worsen over time and lead to varying levels of blindness. Early detection and treatment can often save part or all your eyesight.

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a swelling of the macula, located in the back of the eye. It’s responsible for central vision and seeing color. When a patient with diabetic retinopathy experiences blurry vision, DME is often the cause.

How often should I get a diabetic eye exam?

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), people with diabetes should follow strict precautions to ensure ongoing eye health:

Adults with Type 1 diabetes should schedule an eye exam within five years of their diagnosis and every year after
Adults with Type 2 diabetes should schedule an exam as soon after their diagnosis as possible and every year after
Women with diabetes who are planning to get pregnant should consult with their eye doctor beforehand. An eye exam should also be scheduled within the first three months of pregnancy. Another exam should be scheduled a year after giving birth

What if you have been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy or diabetic macula edema?

First, don’t lose hope. There are many FDA-approved treatment options, but you must act. Work with your doctor and consult with a Retinal Specialist. A Retinal Specialist, is an eye doctor that specializes in treating diseases of the retina and can use special equipment to examine the retina and the blood vessels that surround it.

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Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Edema