November is Diabetic Eye Disease Month and we want to shed light on the group of eye problems because they often go undetected. According to the American Diabetes Association the most recent statistics showed that 186,300 adolescents 20 and under have diabetes. If a child suffers from diabetes they are automatically at risk for eye complications. If diabetes goes undetected until a child enters adulthood they are more at risk for diabetic eye diseases, also known as diabetic retinopathy. Although diabetic retinopathy can not be completely avoided there are actions you can take to reduce your diabetic child’s risk of experiencing complications:
- Have your child’s eyes dilated once a year if they have diabetes.
- Strictly manage your child’s diabetes by:
- having them take medications as directed
- using insulin as directed
- helping them eat the appropriate foods to manage blood sugar levels
- keeping them active to lower and help the body use blood sugar
- testing blood-sugar levels regularly
- testing urine for ketone levels regularly
Think your child may have diabetes? Common symptoms include:
- Frequent urination
- Unusual thirst
- Extreme hunger
- Unusual weight loss
- Extreme fatigue and Irritability
If you think your child may have diabetes contact your physician immediately. Check back throughout the month for other tips and news on diabetic eye disease.
***There’s still time to enter our giveaway of a free pair of Real Kids Shades, head over to our Facebook fan page at facebook.com/RealKidsShades for more information. Good luck!
Imaged from the ADA.