Posted by: Eye Centers of Florida in Cataracts, Diabetic Retinopathy

Living with Diabetes – Community Outreach

J. Dominique Wilkins

On Saturday, July 23 Eye Centers of Florida donated nearly 100 free vision screenings to attendees of the 2016 Living with Diabetes program hosted by the Lee Memorial Health System.

The event featured guest speaker J. Dominique Wilkins, a professional basketball player who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 40. Mr. Wilkins, who lost his father and grandfather to the disease, takes particular interest in raising awareness of it.

Diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the retina, leading to diabetic retinopathy. It can also cause blurry vision, and has been linked to an increased risk of cataracts.

If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor or eyecare professional about the best ways to keep your vision. You can request an appointment today.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia user Chris Raptis.