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| Fall 2002 - Winter 2003 | |||
November Is American Diabetes Month!D iabetes is a serious disease that can cause problems like blindness, as well as heart disease, kidney failure and amputations. Through diet, exercise and special medications diabetes can be controlled.In observation of American Diabetes Month, the American Diabetes Association in partnership with the ISPB and the Illinois Podiatric Medical Association and the Illinois Diabetes Control Program / Illinois Department of Human Services urge people with diabetes to take advantage of the services provided through the Eye Care Aware Program (November) and Foot Care Aware Program (November and December). Eye Care Aware Program Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems that people with diabetes may face as possible complications of the disease — cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, being the most common. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina (swelling and leakage of fluid or abnormal new blood vessels growing on the surface of the retina). It is imperative that people with diabetes have a dilated eye examination every year. Ophthalmologists in the northern Illinois area, participating in the program during November, will be setting up appointments for a free, dilated eye examination to identify diabetic eye disease for people diagnosed with diabetes. People with diabetes can contact the American Diabetes Association at 1-888-342-2383 for a name and telephone number of a participating ophthalmologist. When making the appointment with the doctor, the Eye Care Aware Program should be mentioned. Early detection and treatment are the keys in preventing diabetic eye disease and the complications caused by diabetes.
Foot Care Aware Program The statewide Foot Care Aware Program has also been established in recognition of the American Diabetes Month for the months of November and December. People with diabetes may contact the Illinois Diabetes Control Program at 1-800-323-4769 for the name and telephone number of a participating podiatrist. When making the appointment with the doctor, the Foot Care Aware Program should be mentioned. With continuing promotion of the importance of both the Eye Care Aware Program and the Foot Care Aware Program, it is hoped that more Illinois residents will be helped in preventing needless blindness and other complications due to diabetes.
On September 4, 2002, Jim McKechnie, ISPB Executive Director, was a guest on the Call-In Hotline 21, Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV) series “Diabetes: Prevention and Control.” The topic of discussion was diabetes and eye care. This series was sponsored by the Illinois Diabetes Control Program in collaboration with the Illinois Diabetes Advisory Coalition and other partners. On September 4, 2002, Jim McKechnie, ISPB Executive Director, was a guest on the Call-In Hotline 21, Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV) series “Diabetes: Prevention and Control.” The topic of discussion was diabetes and eye care. This series was sponsored by the Illinois Diabetes Control Program in collaboration with the Illinois Diabetes Advisory Coalition and other partners. The Visionary , published as a service of the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness,is available upon request. The information contained in this issue, taken from sources considered to be accurate, does not replace the need for professional eye care consultations and treatments.
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