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Caring for Persons with Diabetes. Developed by: American Optometric Association Health Promotions Committee. Epidemiology of Diabetes. 26 million Americans have diabetes 90% have type 2 diabetes 79 million more Americans are at high risk for developing diabetes within ten years
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Caring for Persons with Diabetes Developed by: American Optometric Association Health Promotions Committee
Epidemiology of Diabetes • 26 million Americans have diabetes • 90% have type 2 diabetes • 79 million more Americans are at high risk for developing diabetes within ten years • 1.8 million new cases diagnosed each year • Diabetes care accounts for 1 of every 6 health care dollars spent in the US
Epidemiology of Diabetes • The incidence of Type 2 diabetes in Americans < 20 years of age has grown 1100% since 1970 • It is the fastest growing sub-population of diabetes by far • Diabetes is the 6th leading cause of death in the US • The leading cause of blindness in those < 74 yo • The leading cause of kidney failure • The leading cause of non-traumatic amputation
Diabetes Myths • Diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar • Not taking medications to control diabetes means the disease is less serious • Having type 2 diabetes is ‘better’ than having type 1 diabetes • Type 2 diabetes is not hereditary
Diabetes Affects 28.5 Million Americans • Of those: • 18.8 million diagnosed • 7 million not yet diagnosed • 215,000 are under 20 and mostly have type I diabetes
Diabetes is… • The LEADING cause of • Kidney failure • Non-traumatic lower limb amputations • New cases of blindness in adults • A MAJOR cause of • Heart disease • Stroke • The 7th leading cause of death in USA
Diabetes: A Definition • Failure of the pancreas to produce sufficient amounts of the hormone insulin - or - • Resistance of the body’s cells to the action of insulin
Insulin • Insulin allows cells throughout the body to absorb sugar (glucose) from the bloodstream • The source of glucose is mostly from carbohydrates in the foods we eat, but it can also be made by breaking down glucose stored in our muscles and liver • Insulin & Glucose are necessary for the brain, heart & kidneys to function
When Insulin isn’t Helping Glucose into the Cells… • Hyperglycemia occurs (blood sugar levels go up) • This causes damage to body tissues, especially blood vessels • This then leads to eye disease, kidney disease, nerve disease and heart disease • Diabetes-related eye disease predicts these other diseases
Diabetes Mellitus - Classification • Insulin Dependent (IDDM) • Non-Insulin Dependent (NIDDM) • Gestational (GDM)
Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) • Results from destruction of islet cells in the pancreas • More common in persons under 20 years of age • Etiology both genetic and environmental • Patients acutely symptomatic at the time of onset (“the polys”)
Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) • Resistance of body tissues to the action of insulin: • Insulin resistance • Beta-cell failure • Usually occurs after age 40 • Gradual onset of symptoms (half are unaware) • Occurring more frequently in children • Risk factors: • Overweight & sedentary • Family history of diabetes • Ethnic origin
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) • Glucose intolerance of variable severity with onset or first recognition during pregnancy (2nd & 3rd trimester) • Complicates between 1% and 4% of pregnancies • Limited to the term of the pregnancy • Fetal outcome - Macrosomia • GDM Moms are 50% more likely to develop NIDDM later • Offspring are more likely to develop NIDDM during their lifetime
What Are the Symptoms? • All type 1 patients have symptoms • Many type 2 patients have few or no symptoms until serious complications develop (e.g. a heart attack)
Symptoms of Hypoglycemia Shaking Weakness Sweating Fatigue Fast heart beat Head Ache Dizziness Irritable Anxious Hunger Impaired vision
Symptoms of severe low blood sugar • Seizure • Loss of consciousness (coma) • Stroke • Death
Treatment of Hypoglycemia • 15 to 20 grams of carbohydrate that puts glucose into your bloodstream in about 5 minute will raise your blood sugar about 30 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) in about 15 to 20 minutes • Check your blood sugar level again 15 minutes Have person drink ½ glass of juice or regular soft drink,or1 glass of milk • If symptoms don’t stop, call internist • Then eat a light snack (1/2 peanut butter or meat sandwich and ½ glass of milk) Always have a rapid-acting carbohydrate in the office
Symptoms of Hyperglycemia Extreme thirst Blurred vision Frequent urination Dry skin Healing difficulties Hunger Drowsiness
Treatment of Hyperglycemia • Have patient test blood sugar • You can often lower your blood glucose level by exercising. However, if your blood glucose is above 240 mg/dl, check your urine for ketones. • If you have ketones, do not exercise • Exercising when ketones are present may make your blood glucose level go even higher. • Drink more water • Change medication/ eating habits • If >200mg/dl for several tests, for two days, or if extremely elevated: Call internist
Treatment Modes • Pen injectors • Inhaled Insulin (currently off the market) • Insulin pumps • CGMs • Net based education • New medications • Insulin used more than in past
Non-Retinal Eye Complications • CORNEA - One of two clear tissues in the body • LENS - The other clear tissue • It is a very complex process to keep these tissues clear
Refractive error • In poorly controlled diabetes very high levels of glucose can cause the lens metabolism to shunt down a sorbital pathway • Sorbital buildup in the lens creates an osmotic swelling of the lens with resulting in refractive changes
Poor Pupil Response Before Dilating Drops 30 minutes After Dilating Drops
Non-Retinal Eye Complications • IRIS - Colored part of eye - rubeosis irides - new vessel growth that can cause serious glaucoma complications and is usually associated with PDR • Typically is associated with advanced diabetic retinopathy; not easy to identify • GLAUCOMA - Twice as likely in persons with diabetes and more likely to cause vision loss
Non-Retinal Eye Complications • OPTIC NERVE - Can sometimes swell (optic neuritis) - generally found in younger persons with diabetes and can lead to permanent vision loss • CRANIAL NEUROPATHIES - Ptosis (lid droop) and proptosis (eye bulge); occasional reversible diplopia; Bell’s Palsy • Eyelids - Skin related problems
Retinal Eye Complications • BDR - Background Diabetic Retinopathy • Microaneurysms, leakage of intravascular fluid, intraretinal hemorrhage, retinal ischemia • PPDR - Pre Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy • PDR - Proliferative Retinopathy • New Vessel Growth • Remember – the retina is a very thin tissue
Mild NPDR • Standard Photo 1
Moderate NPDR • Standard Photo 2A
Severe NPDR • Standard Photo 2B
Very Severe NPDR • Standard Photo 5
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) • Neovascularization of the Disc (NVD) • Neovascularization Elsewhere (NVE) • Pre-retinal Hemorrhage (PRH) • Vitreous Hemorrhage (VH)
Non-High Risk Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy • Standard Photo 10A • Standard Photo 6B
High Risk Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy • Standard Photo 10C • Standard Photo 7 • Standard Photo 10 • Standard photo 13
Injections • Triamcinolone acetonide • Lucentis and Avastin
Diabetic Macular Edema(DME) • The collection of intraretinal fluid in the macular area • Disrupts retinal structure • With or without lipid exudate or cystoid changes • Focal or diffuse • Can occur at any stage of retinopathy • Only treated when it becomes “clinically significant” • Follow-up every 3 to 4 months by a retinal specialist
Clinically Significant Macular Edema (CSME) • Patients referred for treatment immediately. • CSME responsible for nearly HALF of all vision loss in diabetes!
Diabetic Retinopathy • The most significant ocular complication of diabetes • The leading cause of blindness - ages 20-74 • All complications of diabetes have a slow progression in the beginning • leads to patient non-compliance
Type I Diabetes • Past thinking: Usually free of retinopathy for first ten years after diagnosis • Present Thinking: 20% have retinopathy at one year;67% have retinopathy at five years • 95% have retinopathy after 15 years or more
Type II Diabetes • May have retinopathy at diagnosis • 30% have retinopathy within 5 years • 80% have retinopathy within 15 years
Severity of Diabetic Retinopathy • Depends on • Disease Duration - always ask how long • High Blood Pressure - very serious • High Glycosolated Hemoglobin • Smoking = major risk • Example: • Patient A.J. (HTN, A1c = 10, smoker): diabetes less than 20 years; vision: 20/800 • Patient D.D. (good control of all risk factors): diabetes greater than 25 years, vision: 20/15
Optometric Management of Persons with Diabetes • Frequency of Exams • After Diagnosis: Every Year Dilated Pupil Exam (Should be pre-scheduled) • After First Diagnosis of Diabetic Eye Changes: Every year or six months • At Pre-Proliferative Stage • Should be referred to retinal specialist • Less than 50% of persons with diabetes get dilated eye exams yearly • You must preschedule!!
Treatment Options • PREVENTION - 75% of all diabetic retinopathy could be eliminated with proper control of the disease • Medication - Drs. do adequate job • Exercise - Drs. do poor job • Diet - Drs. do poor job • One of the greatest causes of death and disability in the USA is overeating and a diet heavy in fats, meats, and sugars
Treatment Options • Argon Laser Photocoagulation • Pan Retinal Photocoagulation • Laser kills peripheral retinal tissue • feedback to brain says - “this is dead tissue, no need to grow vessels here” • Victrectomy • Remove bloody scarred vitreous and replace with saline • Injections
Laser Photocoagulation • Reduces visual loss by 50% • Goals: • Prevent further neovascularization • Reduce risk of vitreous hemorrhage and/or reduce traction retinal detachment • Side Effects (lessened now with injections) • Constriction of peripheral vision • Decreased night vision • Loss of acuity
Treatment Options • Early Diagnosis is the Key • ALWAYS preschedule your patients with diabetes for annual (and other) visits • Education/Motivation is Essential • 1-800-DIABETES/diabetes.org • Diet Consult • Exercise Consult • Diabetes Education Classes now covered by major medical and Medicare
Why Does Diabetes Kill So Many Americans? • Doctors do not seem to understand the disease • Patients do not seem to understand the disease • The public does not seem to understand the disease • Not many people care • primarily affects older people, or under/un-insured
Obesity by the numbers • Complications from obesity kill more Americans than smoking – and smoking kills 1000 Americans per day!!!! • Strokes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes can all cause blindness, as well as other disabilities and death