To mark May’s Healthy Vision Month, Focus on Diabetes ™ was launched – a multi-year initiative bringing together the American Diabetes Association® (ADA) and Visionary Partners, VSP® Vision Care and Regeneron, to raise awareness of diabetes and eye health The next step is eye challenge, to raise awareness about diabetes-related eye diseases and take the steps people can take to maintain better eye health no matter where they are on their diabetes journey. To meet the challenge for the community, the ADA welcomed a new roster of patient advocates from Focus on Diabetes Champion for 2021 who joined the 2020 champions (Roger, Natalie and Patricia) to share their stories about living with diabetes and Eye health problems share in many age groups, stages and areas of life.
“Everyone with diabetes – type 1, type 2, and pregnancy – is at risk of developing diabetes-related eye disease,” he said Tracey D. Brown, Chief Executive Officer of ADA. “Just as diabetes management is not a one-size-fits-all approach, it doesn’t care about our eye health either. The Next Week Eye Challenge campaign, supported by weekly pillars, encourages participants to review the status of their eye health and educate people about it Steps they can take to keep it up and inspire eye health conversations in their communities. “
“For the more than 120 million people with diabetes or prediabetes, an annual eye exam is vital in maintaining healthy eyesight and preventing blindness,” said the president of VSP Vision Care Kate Renwick-Espinosa. “Diabetes is the number one cause of blindness in adults aged 18 to 64, but it doesn’t have to be. 95% of diabetes-related vision loss can be prevented with early detection and appropriate treatment.”
There are thematic activities every week in May:
- Week 1 (May 3rd to 7th): Teach people with diabetes take the next step towards better eye health by hearing directly from trusted health professionals.
- Week 2 (10-14 May): Empower and inspire one another by sharing stories and hearing directly from the Focus on Diabetes Champions.
- Week 3 (May 17th to 21st): Take the initiative by taking your next step and sharing your experience with the Focus on Diabetes online community.
- Week 4 (May 24-28): Encourage each other to turn these positive changes into lifelong habits.
On 5th of MayThe Focus on Diabetes initiative started with a round table discussion on diabetes and eye health. The event was attended by a retinal specialist, a diabetes health professional, an optometrist and two patient advocates who discussed the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with diabetes, particularly in relation to their eyesight. A replay is available here for those who missed the event.
“Healthy Vision Month is an important reminder that people with diabetes should make their eye health a priority,” he said Johnathan Lancaster, MD, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Global Medical Affairs at Regeneron. “Together with our partners in the ‘Focus on Diabetes’ initiative, we continue to work to raise awareness of diabetic eye diseases in the most vulnerable people and to teach people that regular eye exams can help maintain their eyesight.”
To take part in the Next Step Eye Challenge and learn more about Focus on Diabetes activities for Healthy Vision Month, visit healthvision.diabetes.org and follow us on social media: @AmDiabetesAssn, American Diabetes Association, @ amdiabetesassn
Via the American Diabetes Association
More than 4,000 people are newly diagnosed with diabetes in America every day. More than 122 million Americans have diabetes or prediabetes and strive to manage their lives while living with the disease. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the country’s leading voluntary health organization committed to bending the curve of the diabetes epidemic and helping people with diabetes thrive. For 80 years, the ADA has advanced discovery and research into the treatment, treatment and prevention of diabetes and has worked tirelessly to find a cure. We help people with diabetes thrive by fighting for their rights and developing programs, advocacy and education to improve their quality of life. Diabetes brought us together. What we do next will make us connected for life. To learn more or to get involved, visit us at diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Join the battle with us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn), and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).
About VSP Global
VSP Global is a doctor-run company that creates value for members and opportunity for doctors of the VSP network. Our industry leaders include VSP® Vision Care, the only national vision benefits not-for-profit that provides eye care access to nearly 90 million members through a network of over 40,000 physicians worldwide. Marchon® Eyewear Inc., one of the world’s largest designers, manufacturers and distributors of high quality eyewear and sunglasses; VSP Optics, the industry leader in eye technology and laboratory services, offers customized lens solutions for patients’ vision and lifestyle needs. Eyefinity®, the industry leader in practice management and electronic health record software; VSP Retail, which focuses on improving access to eye care and eyewear across multiple channels, and VSP® Ventures, which offers care-focused, bespoke choices for doctors looking to switch practices.
About Regeneron
Regeneron is a leading biotechnology company inventing life-changing drugs for people with serious illnesses. The company was founded and run by doctors and scientists for over 30 years. The company’s unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has resulted in nine FDA-cleared treatments and numerous product candidates under development, almost all of which were developed in Regeneron laboratories. The company’s drugs and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pain, hematological diseases, infectious diseases, and rare diseases.
Contact: Daisy Diaz703-253-4807
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SOURCE American Diabetes Association
similar links
http://www.diabetes.org
