Eye specialist issues stern warning about diabetes and eye care

WESTERN BUREAU:

Dr Courtney Williams, a renowned Montego Bay, St James-based optometrist, says untreated cases of diabetes can lead to vision problems, which in turn can negatively affect a child’s capacity to function properly, severely affecting the ability to succeed academically.

According to Williams, children with diabetes are at risk of developing complications such as diabetic retinopathy, which can impair their vision and, consequently, their ability to read and engage fully in classroom activities.

Speaking with The Gleaner during a diabetes health and wellness fair hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Montego Bay on Saturday, Williams said vision is a critical component of learning and that, when a child’s vision is compromised, their academic performance will invariably suffer.

“I’ve had a few patients, in the last couple of months, that would have to go up to the board to copy what’s on it, go back to their seat to write it down, and then go up to the board again, all because their vision is affected by diabetes,” he said.

“Constantly they are asking their classmate next to them, ‘what is on the board?’. So, it tremendously affects their learning because, if you can’t see, how do you know what’s there? They’re not reading; they just lose interest in school sometimes,” added Williams.

When quizzed about the extent to which diabetes is affecting the Jamaican population, Williams said it is quite common, as the disease is now being detected in an increasing number of school-age children and adolescents.

“Currently, we’re seeing it (diabetes) more in younger people than usual. So, it is not just people in mid-age and older. It’s kids having diabetes now, and, for some reason, they’re not getting their eyes checked early enough to prevent future blindness,” Williams told The Gleaner.

November is celebrated as National Diabetes Month, which is a part of the global effort to bring attention to diabetes while taking action to reduce its impact as a worldwide health problem.

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Diabetes can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart, and it is linked to some types of cancer, if not treated promptly.

Pointing to solutions in preventing vision loss, Williams, who owns and operates Refused Vision at City Centre Plaza, Montego Bay, said diabetic patients at their first diagnosis should get an eye examination, and, every two years after that, they should get their eyes checked.

“During this period, if any diabetic retinopathy is detected, then the schedule might change to every year or every six months, or maybe even to get laser surgery, based on the severity of the disease,” explained Williams.

Alicia McIntosh-Hill, who is quite aware of the damage that diabetes can do, is delighted that her daughter, who has been diagnosed with diabetes, is being supported and is blessed with excellent vision.

“She has perfect vision from what I was told, and that’s good news for us because she is diabetic and this disease can affect her vision if not treated early,” said McIntosh-Hill, whose daughter got a clean bill of eye health after an eye examination at the Kiwanis Club of Montego Bay Diabetes Health and Wellness Fair.

“I am doing something right by ensuring she sticks to her diet, including avoiding sweets and carbs, and engages in physical activities,” said McIntosh-Hill.

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