Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month: Protecting Vision in East Tennessee
Every November, Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month reminds us of an important truth: diabetes can impact your vision long before symptoms appear. At Drs. Campbell Cunningham Taylor & Haun, we use this month to help patients across East Tennessee understand their risk, learn the signs of diabetic eye disease and take the steps that protect sight for years to come.
Whether you have diabetes yourself or care for someone who does, this month is an ideal time to focus on prevention, awareness and early detection.
Why Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Matters
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of vision loss in adults, yet many people do not realize that damage can begin silently. Conditions like diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, glaucoma and cataracts often develop slowly without changes in day-to-day vision.
Awareness month shines a light on facts that every patient should know:
- Annual dilated eye exams are essential
- Good blood sugar control protects the retina
- Eye disease often has no early symptoms
- Early treatment leads to far better outcomes
The goal is simple. When patients know the risks, they are more likely to stay ahead of them.
Key Facts to Know This Month
Use these core facts to guide your decisions and discussions:
1. Diabetic retinopathy is very common
Nearly one in three adults with diabetes will develop some form of diabetic retinopathy during their lifetime.
2. Damage can begin before vision changes
Many people feel fine yet already have early vessel damage or mild swelling in the retina.
3. Annual exams save sight
A dilated eye exam gives your doctor a clear view of the retina so early changes are caught before they threaten vision.
4. Blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol all matter
Managing these numbers protects not only your heart and nerves but your vision too.
How CCTH Supports Awareness
At Drs. Campbell Cunningham Taylor & Haun (CCTH), we use Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month to help our community take action. Here is how we support our patients:
Education
We talk with patients about warning signs, risk factors and the importance of early detection at every appointment.
Advanced imaging and retina care
From OCT scans to retinal photography to advanced retina treatment, we offer the tools needed to detect and manage diabetic eye disease right here in East Tennessee.
How You Can Take Action This Month
Awareness is powerful when it leads to action. Here are meaningful steps you can take today:
- Schedule your annual dilated eye exam if you have not had one in the last year
- Know your A1C, blood pressure and cholesterol
- Talk with your family members who have diabetes about getting screened
- Ask your doctor for an eye care referral if you have noticed any new vision changes
- Learn the early warning signs such as floaters, blurry vision or trouble seeing at night
Even small steps move you toward long-term protection.
A Community Effort to Prevent Vision Loss
Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month is about more than facts. It is about protecting the independence, work, hobbies and memories that good vision makes possible. When patients take charge of their diabetes and stay connected with routine eye care, much of the vision loss from diabetic disease can be prevented.If you or someone you love has diabetes, now is the perfect moment to take the next step. Request your diabetic eye exam with Drs. Campbell Cunningham Taylor & Haun this month and make your vision a priority.