Most people who have diabetes for 20 years or longer will get some form of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of new cases of blindness among working age people, so early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to preventing blindness from diabetes. People with diabetes are also twice as likely to get glaucoma.
Medicare recipients with diabetes qualifiy for the annual glaucoma screening benefit. This benefit includes a comprehensive eye exam. Because people with diabetes need to have an eye exam at least once a year, Medicare recipients should be sure to make full use of the yearly glaucoma screening benefit to receive an eye exam that can check for both glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
This web resource is made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Eli Lilly and Company.
Copyright © 2005 Prevent Blindness America ®
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