Diabetic Eye Disease Month: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about Diabetic Eye Disease Month (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. Diabetic Eye Disease Month is celebrated on November 1st.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of Diabetic Eye Disease Month, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as intriguing facts you should know about Diabetic Eye Disease Month.

📅 What day is Diabetic Eye Disease Month 2024?

In 2024, Diabetic Eye Disease Month is on Wednesday, November 1st. It is the 1st Wednesday in November; in 2024, it is Friday. There are until the next observance. You also can learn all the fun details and facts about November 1, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

In November, there is a focus on the significance of maintaining good eye health, particularly for those with diabetes. Various organizations and healthcare professionals raise awareness about how diabetes can affect vision. Diabetic retinopathy, a condition caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the blood vessels in the retina, affects around 7 million people in the US. It is important for individuals with diabetes to understand how to protect their eyesight. For those without diabetes, it is still essential to be cautious and schedule regular eye examinations.

📜 Diabetic Eye Disease Month History

✅ Diabetic Eye Disease Month Facts

🔖 ​It’s the result of diabetes
Diabetes is responsible for the majority of cases of blindness, impacting around 40-45 percent of people.

🔖 ​It disproportionately affects people of color
Diabetic eye problems are more prevalent among various ethnic communities such as African-Americans, Mexican-Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and Asian-Americans. This is primarily due to the increased susceptibility of these groups to develop type 2 diabetes.

🔖 ​It happens gradually
Diabetic retinopathy often goes unnoticed until symptoms become severe and pose a risk to your vision.

👍 Why Is Diabetic Eye Disease Month Important

Consider all of the ways you utilize your eyes, and then consider how you would feel if you progressively lost your vision. Diabetic eye disease, commonly known as diabetic retinopathy, refers to a set of eye disorders that afflict diabetics. Cataracts (clouding of the eye’s lens), glaucoma (elevated pressure inside the eye), and macular edema are examples of these disorders (optic nerve damage). If you have hazy or regularly changing vision, dark regions, vision loss, or notice “floaters” or flashes of light, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommends consulting a doctor.

It is just a truth that if you have diabetes, you are more likely to get an eye problem than someone who does not. Every kind of diabetes puts you at risk, which is why early identification via frequent eye exams is critical. Diabetes types 1 and 2 require yearly checkups. Pregnant women with both types 1 and 2 require prenatal care, at the very least throughout the first trimester. Only expecting moms with gestational diabetes are exempt from having eye tests since diabetic eye disease cannot develop during pregnancy.

If you have diabetes, you will require a more thorough checkup in which the eye doctor will dilate your eyes. This means you will be given eye drops to dilate your pupils. This permits the doctor to see the retina, blood vessels, and optic nerve from the rear of each eye. After your eyes have been dilated, don’t be alarmed if your vision becomes a little fuzzy for a few hours; just make sure you have transportation.

🙂 How To Observe Diabetic Eye Disease Month

⚡ Offer to take someone to their eye exam
Being a good friend involves being there for someone, even in small matters like going with them to an eye examination. Although it may not seem important, having a friend by your side can be reassuring if you’re experiencing vision problems. Additionally, if your eyes are dilated during the test, having a companion can be helpful in getting you safely home.

⚡ Get tested for diabetes
If you are worried about having diabetes or experiencing symptoms of an eye disease, Diabetes Eye Disease Month can help you overcome your anxiety and manage your health. There are different tests available, such as fasting or consuming a sugary solution before a blood test, which can give you accurate results and help you understand your condition. Additionally, certain signs during an eye examination may indicate diabetes if you haven’t been diagnosed yet. Regardless of the approach you choose, take advantage of this month to take control of your health.

⚡ Post an eye exam reminder on social media
While scrolling through social media, we often find solace in adorable pictures of kittens and puppies, which help alleviate our boredom. However, it is important to use our platforms to raise awareness about preserving vision in November. Let’s take this opportunity to remind our friends and their connections that November is Diabetes Eye Disease Awareness Month. Share some eye-opening statistics and provide information about organizations actively working on this issue. Remember, you can always go back and repost your beloved dog and cat images in December.

📅 When is Diabetic Eye Disease Month?

View all 🔗 November holidays, including 🔗 Health and other 🔗 Awareness holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and cool facts about Diabetic Eye Disease Month. So be sure to check back soon.