TuDiabetes is a social network for people touched by diabetes. It currently nears 12,000 members, mainly patients and people who have a loved one with diabetes. This World Diabetes Day 2009 at 2 pm local time, they will host The Big Blue Test, a diabetes awareness activity through which thousands of people with diabetes will be testing their blood sugars together, exercise for 14 minutes, test again and share the whole experience. Watch KCRA interview.

World Diabetes Day events taking place this week:

VSP Vision Care, Rancho Cordova, CA
Monday, November 9 – Sunday, November 15
To raise awareness about the connection between diabetes and eye health, VSP’s headquarters will be lit blue each night. VSP is proud to participate in this global event. Signs of diabetes can be seen in an eye exam before a person is even aware they have it.  Special thanks to Lee Saldivar at PhaseOne for lighting this building. www.capartyscape.com.

The Big Blue Test
Saturday, November 14, 2009, 2:00 p.m.
People with diabetes will be testing their blood sugars together, exercise for 14 minutes, test again and share the whole experience across the globe.

San Francisco Ferry Building, One Ferry Building
Saturday, November 14, 2009, 5:00 p.m.
San Francisco’s Ferry Building will go blue for World Diabetes Day. You’re invited to join this special event celebrating this day. http://tudiabetes.com/events/san-francisco-ferry-building

State Capitol Building, West Steps, Sacramento, CA
Saturday, November 14, 2009, 5:30 p.m.
The historic State Capitol building in Sacramento will be lit in blue to mark World Diabetes Day with honorary chair and standout rookie Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings. We invite you to wear blue and join us!

• Come with your entire family
• Dress up in blue
• Paint your face blue
• Bring a flashlight and blue cellophane
• Bring blue signs.

To find other events in your area, click here.

World Diabetes Day Facts

• World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat that diabetes now poses.
• World Diabetes Day became official by the United Nations in 2007.
• World Diabetes Day is celebrated on November 14, to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, first conceived the idea leading to the discovery of insulin in 1922.
• The World Diabetes Day logo is the blue circle. The color blue reflects the sky that unites all nations. The circle signifies the unity of the global diabetes community in response to the diabetes pandemic.

In addition to World Diabetes Day, VSP is a proud supporter of STOP Diabetes. View the video of personal statements about the impact of diabetes.

Joel Kestenbaum O.D. is a VSP provider in Long Island, NY.

In recognition of Diabetes Awareness Month, Dr. Joel Kestenbaum has shared some thoughts regarding diabetes and eyecare. VSP is a proud National Strategic Partner of the American Diabetes Association.  Join the fight. STOP Diabetes.

One of the first lessons I learned in optometry school was that diabetes was a leading cause of  blindness.  We were taught that early diagnosis was the key to preserving good eyesight.  We were also taught that educating our patients about the effects of diabetes on the eye was extremely important.  So here are a few tidbits to think about.

There are many early signs of diabetes, many of which are common eye complaints.   Styes, double vision, light sensitivity, fluctuating vision, glare and frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions are just a few early signs.  These and other signs can also affect people who have had diabetes for a long time.  Getting annual eye examinations by a qualified specialist can detect problems that may be vision threatening.  Early detection can lead to early sight saving treatment.

Having diabetes does not mean that your sight will be affected, but there is a greater risk.

Controlling blood sugar via diet, medication or both is extremely important in minimizing the affects of diabetes.  Exercise, weight loss, lowering cholesterol and not smoking are all ways to help control all the effects of diabetes.

Recently I had a patient who did not control her diabetes.  She was a smoker, stopped seeing her doctor three years ago, did not eat well or exercise, stopped taking her insulin two years prior, and for the last 6 months, has been experiencing some of the eye signs mentioned earlier.  A comprehensive eye examination revealed retinal bleeding and leakage of fluid.  This is typical of diabetic retinopathy, requiring treatment by a retinal specialist in an attempt to save her precious eyesight.

November is American Diabetes Month.  Take your children, your spouse and your elderly parents for an eye examination.  Early detection can lead to early treatment.  Be smart even if you do not have diabetes.  Have annual eye examinations.

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum
www.optixeyecare.com

Liz B. is a member of VSP's Corporate Public Relations team.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month and as a National Strategic Partner of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), VSP is committed to joining to the fight to STOP DIABETES.

Studies show that diabetes accounts for about 24,000 new cases of vision loss each year.  The most prevalent eye disease in patients with diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, a condition in which blood vessels in the eye leak fluid and cause vision impairments including: blindness, blurred vision, floaters, shadows or missing areas of vision.

It is imperative that people with diabetes have annual eye exams as most diabetes-related blindness can be avoided.

Throughout the month of November, you’ll see multiple posts on the VSPBlog educating about the impacts of diabetes to millions of Americans affected by the disease.

Let’s start with the basics on why we must stop diabetes:

• Nearly 24 million children and adults in the United States live with diabetes. In fact, if trends continue, one in three children born today will face a future with diabetes.
• Type 1 Diabetes – For people with type 1 diabetes, their bodies cannot make insulin, the hormone that allows the cells in the body to admit glucose, which they use as fuel.  Without glucose, your body doesn’t have enough energy to live. That’s why people with type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin (through a shot or pump) to stay alive.
• Type 2 Diabetes – People with type 2 diabetes can make insulin, but the body fails to use it properly. About 90-95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2. Typically type 2 of diabetes affects adults, but as obesity rates have increased in kids, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes continues to rise in kids and teens.

Join the movement and STOP DIABETES.  Find out how you can help at stopdiabetes.com or call 1.800.DIABETES.