Improve Diabetic Eye Exam Compliance

We are hopeful that when diabetic patients understand that while there is no cure for diabetic retinopathy, with careful management of risk factors such as blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, moderation of alcohol consumption and routine exercise along with regular annual dilated eye exams, the potential vision loss from diabetes and associated diabetic eye problems can be minimized. BUT-this requires that patients do their part and keep a strict schedule and compliance with their eye doctor’s recommendations for diabetic eye exams and testing.

Research on Diabetic Eye Exam Compliance

Researchers reporting in the journal Ophthalmology, identified and studied variables that help to predict adherence with annual eye examinations using the Compliance with Annual Diabetic Eye Exams Survey (CADEES). This new questionnaire was designed and structured to measure patient beliefs and understanding related to diabetic retinopathy and the need for annual eye examinations.

Factors Influencing Diabetic Eye Exam Compliance

A number of factors seemed to influence diabetic patient compliance with annual eye exams. First, patient understanding and beliefs concerning whether insurance covered most of the eye examination cost was considered very influential. Next, whether it was difficult to schedule or physically get to an eye exam appointment also had a meaningful impact on eye exam compliance. Then, whether patients had been counseled and told to make obtaining an eye examination a top priority as well as whether they had been previously told that they had signs of diabetic retinopathy were also important in whether patients attended their diabetic eyeexams. In addition, clinicians can also have a positive impact on diabetic patients compliance with eye exams counseling newly diagnosed patients as well as those with uncontrolled blood glucose more diligently on the importance of annual eye examinations and discussing and helping patients remove perceived barriers and misconceptions.

If you or someone you know has diabetes they need to have regular annual dilated eye exams to prevent vision loss from diabetic eye diseases and problems. Please share this information with anyone you know who is diabetic and ask them to contact Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham by calling 205-930-0930, visiting Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or http://www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham is located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 and staffed by UAB Medicine ophthalmologists Marc Michelson, M.D. and Tyler Hall, M.D.