Diabetes

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It is estimated that more than 200 million people have diabetes. They are at risk of losing sight due to diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy affects the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that transmits visual messages via the optic nerve to the brain. When this delicate tissue is damaged by diabetic retinopathy, the result may be visual impairment or blindness.

Diabetes awareness was adopted as a long-term commitment of the association in March 1984. The primary objective of the Lions program is to reduce the number of new cases of blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy through diabetes education, early detection and treatment, and support of research.

Why is it important to know how diabetes affects the eyes?
If you have diabetes--or if someone close to you has this disease--you should know that diabetes can affect the eyes and cause visual impairment. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent or lessen damage to the eyes caused by diabetes. That is why it is so important for people with this disease to have a professional eye examination as soon as their diabetes is diagnosed, and at least once a year thereafter.

Annual eye examinations are especially important for people who have a high risk of developing eye complications from diabetes. These include persons with diabetes who have had their disease five years or longer, and those who have difficulty controlling glucose levels in their blood.

In addition, pregnancy is known to be a factor in the development or worsening of diabetic eye disease. There is evidence to suggest that high blood pressure and smoking may cause diabetic eye disease to worsen.

Diabetes Awareness
The Lions Diabetes Awareness Program was introduced in 1984. Lions became involved in diabetes education because diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among people between the ages of 20 to 74. Lions remain active in educating the public about the importance of preventing diabetes by:

• eating properly
• avoiding obesity
• exercising

Successful Lions diabetes projects:

• The Sao Paulo (Belem) Lions, Brazil, purchased a mobile health unit. The Lions use this van to perform diabetes, vision, dental and blood pressure tests.
• In Zambia, the Kitwe Lions sponsored a medical camp that diagnosed and treated diabetes, malaria, hypertension, and respiratory tract infections.
• A local senior citizens' organization joined the Estero-South Fort Meyers Lions, Florida, USA, in sponsoring free diabetes screenings during Lions Diabetes Awareness Day.
• The Lions and Leos of Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, volunteered to help with Hawaii's Walk for Diabetes and Family Fun Day, sponsored by the American Diabetes Association.
• The Lions of District 5M-6 (Minnesota, USA) established a US$30,000 Diabetes Fund. This fund enables the Lions to provide financial assistance to uninsured persons who have diabetes.
• In Manitoba, Canada, District 5M-13 Lions Diabetes Chairman John McCourt organized 45 support groups for persons with diabetes.
• District 20-K1 (New York, USA) Lions Diabetes Chairman Daphne Hall presented diabetes information on Sundays in local houses of worship.
• The Charleston (Gold Dome) Lions, West Virginia, USA, raised US$6500 for diabetes research with the Kiss-a-Pig fundraiser - which honors pigs for their contributions to insulin research.
• The St. Paul (Midway) Lions Club, Minnesota, USA, donated US$9000 to a local diabetes resource center for educating South East Asian immigrants about diabetes.

Copyright 2002 Lafayette Lions Club