November is National Diabetes Month. Dr. Susan and Perry Lee, Optometrists at Lake Oconee Eye Care in Greensboro, encourage anyone who has, or may be at risk for, diabetes to have an annual eye examination.

“Diabetes affects 18.2 million Americans, 5.2 million of which may not know they have the disease”, Dr. Perry Lee said. “One of the health problems associated with diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, a disease of the eye which can cause blindness.”

Diabetic retinopathy can weaken and cause changes in the blood vessels that nourish the retina. Symptoms may include blurred vision, cloudiness and/or “floaters.”

“Diabetes also increases a person’s risk for developing other eye diseases”,

Dr. Susan Lee added. Persons living with diabetes are 40 percent more likely to develop glaucoma and 60 percent more likely to develop cataracts.

“But the early stages of diabetic retinopathy may produce no visual symptoms at all,” Dr. Lee said. “That is why it is so important for anyone who has diabetes or a family history of diabetes to have a yearly comprehensive eye health examination.”

“Early detection and treatment are essential,” Dr. Lee added, “because once damage has occurred, the effects are usually permanent.”

Drs. Susan and Perry Lee own and practice at Lake Oconee Eye Care located at 1051 A Park Drive (inside Harbor Club) in Greensboro and are members of Vision Source, the nation’s number one network of private practice optometrists. Founded in 1991, The Vision Source network includes more than 2,200 offices in all 50 states and in Canada.  Drs. Susan and Perry Lee are Lake Oconee’s premiere Vision Source providers.  Please call (706) 453-4535 to schedule an appointment today or visit www.lakeoconeeeyecare.com.