|
|
|
2007-2008
Officers & Directors of the Kent
|
It is estimated that more than 200 million people are now afflicted with diabetes, at risk of losing sight due to a serious complication of diabetes--diabetes 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. Lions are especially encouraged to conduct awareness activities during the month of November--Lions Diabetes Education Month. 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 stand a high risk of developing eye complications from diabetes. These include persons with diabetes who have had their disease 5 years or longer, and those who have difficulty controlling glucose levels in the blood. In addition, pregnancy is known to be a factor in the development or worsening of diabetic eye disease. And there is evidence to suggest that high blood pressure and smoking may cause diabetic eye disease to worsen.
The Kent Lions has funded numerous camp scholarships to dozens of local youth with diabetes to both Camp Leo and Camp Horizon. |
|
Send mail to Kent Lions Webmaster
with questions or comments about this web site.
|
