In an effort to support National Diabetes Month in Redmond, Dr. Rania Montecillo of Redmond Eye Doctors is offering free eye exams for 10 children with diabetes whose parents have no insurance and are unable to afford an eye exam.
Parents, doctors or friends of diabetic children who qualify for a free eye exam with Montecillo can call (425) 885-7363 to make an appointment. Montecillo owns and practices at Redmond Eye Doctors located at 16375 NE 85th Street, Suite 102 in Redmond and is a member of Vision Source, a national network of private practice optometrists.
Diabetes affects 18.2 million Americans, 5.2 million of which may not know they have the disease. One of the health problems associated with diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, a disease of the eye which can cause blindness.
Diabetic retinopathy can weaken and cause changes in the blood vessels that nourish the retina. Symptoms may include blurred vision, cloudiness and/or “floaters.”
The early stages of diabetic retinopathy may produce no visual symptoms at all, which is why it is important for anyone who has diabetes or a family history of diabetes to have a yearly comprehensive eye health examination. Early detection and treatment are essential, because once damage has occurred, the effects are usually permanent.
Diabetes also increases a person’s risk for developing other eye diseases. Persons living with diabetes are 40 percent more likely to develop glaucoma (narrowing of the vision, leading to blindness without treatment) and 60 percent more likely to develop cataracts.
