Posts Tagged ‘dilation’

New CDC Report projects Diabetes numbers to triple by 2050

Posted on November 9th, 2010 by Lisa P.

Guest Blog Post from Jessica Hein, member of VSP’s Eye Health Management Team.

According to a recent study published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), they project diabetes numbers to triple to about one in 3 U.S. adults by 2050. Currently, roughly 24 million Americans have diabetes, and one-quarter of them don’t know they have the disease. The study goes on to say diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in 2007 and is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults under age 75.

Did you know eye exams are the only non-invasive way to view blood vessels to check for signs of diabetes? By looking at these blood vessels, the eye doctor can detect signs of diabetes, hypertension and several other chronic conditions. Eye doctors are in a unique position to change the current trajectory of diabetes in our country based on ease of accessibility, the ability to detect chronic conditions during an eye exam, and the opportunity to influence patients to make behavioral changes to protect their eyesight. VSP Vision Care is encouraging everyone to visit their eye doctor annually to maintain healthy vision and overall wellness. Find a VSP Provider near you to schedule your next appointment. More on the new CDC study. 

Here’s a short video about why I want to help Stop Diabetes. Submit your 30-second video for a chance to win a prize as well as be part of the American Diabetes Association‘s Stop Diabetes public service announcement.

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#BlogHer10 asks, @VSPVisionCare answers

Posted on August 11th, 2010 by Lisa P.

BlogHerIn honor of #BlogHer10, we asked this year’s attendees on twitter to send us their eyecare questions. We received lots of great questions and wanted to share just a few of them along with the answers. Be sure to follow @VSPVisionCare for more tips and useful information related to eyecare and eyewear.

@CleverGayle – When should children have their first vision test?

– Eyecare experts say children should have their first eye exam when they’re only 6 months old. They should have another one between 2 and 3 years, just before kindergarten, and then annually after that. More on children and eyecare.

@msmorev – I’d like to know the best way to protect my eyes from the computer screen.

– American workers spend 6 hours a day using a computer or digital device so it’s important to take frequent breaks. The next time you’re sitting in front of your computer, remember the 20-20-20 rule: after 20 minutes of computer use, look at something 20 feet away, for 20 seconds. Check out some more tips on how to keep your eyes safe in a digital world.

@toonces1989 - is it really essential to have your eyes dilated if you’re not having any problems?

– Yes, eyecare experts recommend getting your eyes dilated every year. Dilation allows your eye doctor to make sure your eyes are healthy. During a dilated eye exam, your eye doctor can see the blood vessels in your eyes, which can show signs of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. With age, the pupil becomes smaller, making dilation even more essential. More on the importance of dilation.

Thanks everyone for sending us these great questions. We’ll continue to answer the other questions that were submitted through our Twitter account – @vspvisioncare. So, be sure to follow us and keep the questions coming. We want to know what you’re thinking about when it comes to your eyes!

File under: CVS, diabetes, eye health | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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What Happens During a Diabetic Eye Exam?

Posted on January 12th, 2010 by Melissa W.

January is Eyecare Month. In honor of this observance, this is the second post of a three-part video series about how eye exams can show signs of health conditions, like diabetes.

Team Type 1’s Kyle Rose was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 16 years old. He was originally thought to have the flu. When he began experiencing fluctuating vision, he went to see his eye doctor who immediately recognized signs of diabetes and recommended he get tested for diabetes.

In this video, Dr. Sasha Penn, with EyeCare Associates of San Francisco, explains what he’s looking for during a diabetic eye exam and why it’s so important.

For more information about EyeCare Associates of San Francisco, check out their website at www.eyecaresf.com.

About Team Type 1 and VSP Vision Care
Team Type 1 is a group of athletes living with diabetes. The team includes professional race teams, a triathlon team and a development team. Team Type 1 strives to instill hope and inspiration for people around the world affected by diabetes. VSP® Vision Care is proud to be their exclusive eyecare and eyewear provider.

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Kyle Rose – Eye doctor was first to see his symptoms of diabetes

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Eyes bigger than your stomach? Maybe they've just been dilated.

Posted on July 29th, 2009 by Jessica G.
David Kisling, O.D.

Dr. David Kisling is a VSP doctor practicing in Fort Collins, CO.

Dr. David Kisling, a VSP network doctor, returns for his second guest blog. Today’s post addresses one of the most challenging portions of an eye exam—dilation of your eyes.

Does an hour appointment with your optometrist turn into a full day of discomfort due to the pupil dilation? Have you wondered why you have to endure this glaring assault on your eyes? If you have ever tried looking through a peephole in your front door to see if it is a friend or foe knocking on the door, you have some idea of the difficulty of looking inside an eye. You have to get very close to the tiny peephole, squeeze one eye shut, and even then you have a very limited view. Think how much easier it the would be if there were holes for both eyes the size of a silver dollar! When examining the retina, the tissue lining the back of your eye, having the equivalent of a silver dollar size opening allows a much more thorough check of your eye health.

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File under: eye health, Private Practice Doctors | Tagged: , , , , , ,
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