LINTHICUM, Md., Nov. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Versant Health, a leading national managed eye health and vision plan company, honors Diabetic Eye Disease month by showing how routine eye exams not only save your vision, but can also potentially save your life.
More than 25 million Americans have diagnosed diabetes, and estimates suggest that by 2050, one-third of ALL Americans will be diabetic. Like any disease, early detection is key when it comes to diabetes. And eye exams are key, with 20 percent of people first discovering they have diabetes as a result of an eye exam.
"During an eye exam, the doctor examines the optic nerve, the retinal blood vessels, and the back of the eye, where he or she may notice leakages in the small capillaries in the retina, which often indicates diabetic retinopathy," says Dr. Mark Ruchman, CMO, Versant Health. "Even if diabetes has not been diagnosed, those telltale leakages are a sure sign that the patient has the disease."
Diabetic retinopathy is the fourth leading cause of blindness in the United States. In fact, nearly 30% of people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes have diabetic retinopathy, and 5% of those are in the advanced stages, where blindness is a real possibility.
"When detected early and treated aggressively, diabetic retinopathy can be slowed, if not stopped," says Elizabeth Klunk, RN, BSN, CCM; VP Medical Management, Versant Health. "In this way, a routine eye exam not only detects vision and eye disease, but can open a window into overall health as well, often before any symptoms appear."
About Versant Health
Versant Health is one of the nation's leading managed vision care companies serving more than 33 million members nationwide. Through our Davis Vision plans and Superior Vision plans, we help members enjoy the wonders of sight through healthy eyes and vision. Providing vision and eye health solutions that range from routine vision benefits to medical management, Versant Health has a unique visibility and scale across the total eye health value chain. As a result, members enjoy a seamless experience with access to one of the broadest provider networks in the industry and an exclusive frame collection. Commercial groups, individuals, third parties, and health plans that serve government-sponsored programs such as Medicaid and Medicare are among our valued customers.
For more information visit versanthealth.com.
SOURCE Versant Health
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