FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com NOVEMBER 5, 2015 • HEALTH • THE QUEENS COURIER 27 Save Your Sight: People with Diabetes Urged to Have Annual Eye Exam to Prevent Vision Loss Mark Fleckner, M.D. Professional Eye Care, With A Personal Touch 61-34 188th Street, Suite 206 520 Franklin Avenue, Suite 123 Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 Garden City, NY 11530 718-454-7700 516-739-5905 www.drmarkfleckner.com Diabetic eye disease is a leading cause of blindness among working age adults. Although regular eye exams are a proven way to prevent vision loss, only about 60 percent of people with diabetes have a yearly screening, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. November is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month, an opportune time to remind people of the importance of having their eyes checked on a regular basis, according to Mark Fleckner, M.D., a Fresh Meadows ophthalmologist specializing in diseases of the retina. “People who have diabetes are advised to have their eyes examined at least once a year. Controlling blood sugar levels and blood pressure can also help prevent vision loss,” says Dr. Fleckner, who also has an office in Garden City, Long Island. “We also want to encourage family members to make sure their loved ones receive the care they need to keep their eyes healthy.” Regular eye exams are important, even if people don’t have symptoms. At first, individuals may not notice any changes and may even have 20/20 vision. But over time, diabetic retinopathy usually gets worse and causes vision loss. Unfortunately, many people with diabetes already have advanced eye disease when they finally see an ophthalmologist. The longer someone has diabetes, the greater the risk of developing eye disease, but it can also develop within the first year or two after the onset of diabetes. Early detection, timely treatment, and follow-up care can reduce the risk of vision loss by 90 percent, according to Dr. Fleckner. For more information, visit www.drmarkfleckner.com. Advertorial
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