Www.portufamilia.org 1-800-DIABETES With Open Eyes Presented by: Regina Weitzman, MD.

www.portufamilia.org 1-800-DIABETES

With Open Eyes

Presented by:

Regina Weitzman, MD


Objetives• Provide a clear and simple definition of diabetes

and pre-diabetes• Create awareness about the link between

diabetes and retinopathy (eye disease)• Create awareness about how to manage

diabetes in a simple way that participants can remember

• Participants will be able to identify 3 simple tests for charting awareness and managing diabetes

• Participants will be able to identify 3 actions that can be taken to maintain good general health and good eye health

• Participants will be given resources to incorporate into their daily routine to decrease risk for eye problems


DIABETES • When you eat, your body breaks food down

into sugar and sends it into your bloodstream.

• Insulin (made in the pancreas) helps get the sugar from the blood into the cells to be used for energy needed for daily life. It’s like the key that opens the door for the cells.

• Diabetes is when the body does not make enough insulin or the insulin it makes does not work well. Too much sugar in the blood can mean that a person has diabetes.


What is Pre-Diabetes?

• Pre-diabetes is when a person has too much sugar in their blood, but not quiet high enough to be called diabetes. (100-125 mg/dl).

• People with pre-diabetes:

– Can make changes to their eating habits to help them lose weight and increase their physical activity to delay or prevent diabetes.

• Eating healthy is for everyone, but it is especially important for managing or preventing diabetes. If you have diabetes or pre-diabetes, what and how much you eat can affect your blood sugar.


Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes

• Excessive thirst • Frequent urination• Excessive hunger• Weight loss• Fatigue• Slow healing cuts or infections• Presistent itching• CHANGES IN VISION


What are some problems related to diabetes?

• Heart disease• Stroke• Eye problems (retinopathy).• Kidney problems

(nephropathy).• Wound care• Amputations (neuropathy).• Dental problems• Eye problems• Frequent infections


ABC’s of Diabetes

• A- is for A1C

• B- is for Blood Pressure

• C- is for Cholesterol


A-1-C• The A1C check tells you your average blood

glucose levels for the past 2 to 3 months. Think of it as a blood check with a “memory”.

• Your A1C target should be less than 7.

• The A1C test provides your health care provider with a baseline of information on how well your diabetes is under control

• The A1C test is a good indicator of what is a normal level for you.


Which activities can a person do to better manage their diabetes and lower their A1C?

• Take your medication as instructed• Monitor my blood glucose more closely and record

all responses to share with your health care provider• Be more active• Work with your health care provider to develop a

plan for your diabetes management• Develop a healthy meal plan• Lose weight


Blood Pressure• Your blood pressure numbers tell

you the force of your blood inside your blood vessels. When your pressure is high, your heart has to work harder.

• Your blood pressure target should be 130/80


Blood Pressure• The target for blood pressure in good

diabetes management is below 130/80.• Blood pressure has two numbers, the

diastolic (top number) and systolic (bottom). The top number (130) is the pressure as the heart beats and pushes blood into the blood vessels.

• The bottom number (80) is the pressure when the heart rests between beats and vessels relax.


Ways to manage blood pressure

• Follow a meal plan that includes more fruits and vegetables

• Reduce the amount of salt eaten

• Lose weight

• Quit smoking

• Take your blood pressure medication as prescribed

• Work to reduce any stress you might be experiencing


Cholesterol• Your cholesterol numbers tell you

about the amount of fat in your blood. Once type is called HDL cholesterol which helps to protect your heart. Another type, LDL cholesterol can clog your blood vessels or lead to hardening of the arteries.


What are normal cholesterol levels for people with diabetes?

• Colesterol LDL – less than 100

• Colesterol HDL – higher than 40 for men, and higher than 50 for women


Ways to manage Cholesterol

• Make wise food choices to reduce the fat in your diet and choose fewer high-cholesterol foods

• Lose weight• Become more physically active• Quit smoking• Keep your blood glucose levels close to

your target


Diabetes and Eye CareWhat is diabetic retinopathy?

The retina is the tissue that lines the back of the eye. Retinopathy is the damage, or changes in the retina’s blood vessels, which causes loss of vision.

In some people with retinopathy, their vessels may swell and leak fluid. In others, fragile new blood vessels grow because the eye is seeking nourishment that has been blocked by the damage or leaking. Retinas cannot be repaired or replaced.


How does diabetes affect the eyes?

Diabetes allows too much glucose to remain in the blood, which can damage blood vessels. The damaged vessels may drip blood into the tissue of the eye or the eye might grow new veins on the retina that create vision problems or even blindness.


Who is at risk?

Retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in adults today and anyone with circulation problems, such as those caused by diabetes is at risk. Hispanics/Latinos are specially at risk.

Studies show that Hispanics/Latinos with diabetes have a higher rate of severe vision threatening retinopathy than other races.


Who is at risk?

People with diabetes are at risk for retinopathy. The likelihood and severity of retinopathy increases with :

• How long you have had diabetes• If diabetes is poorly controlled• Uncontrolled blood pressure• The longer you have diabetes, the more likely

you will lose some or all of your eyesight.


Prevention and Working with your Healthcare Provider

People with diabetes who have retinopathy can reduce their risk of blindness by having yearly eye exams, good treatment and follow up care. Taking care of your overall health works! Research shows that taking care of your blood pressure and blood glucose levels can lower the risk for blindness.

Distribute appendix “H” – Questions to ask your Eye Specialist.


For more information

Contact the American Diabetes Association at:1-800-DIABETES (342-2383) or online at:

www.diabetes.orgLocally, call:

Www.portufamilia.org 1-800-DIABETES With Open Eyes Presented by: Regina Weitzman, MD.

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