If you have diabetes mellitus, your body does not use and store sugar properly.  High blood-sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the back of the eye (retina).  The damage to retinal vessels is called "diabetic retinopathy."  This condition can lead to severe vision loss if not monitored and treated on a regular basis.

If you have diabetes, it is important for you to know that today, with improved methods of diagnosis and treatment, only a small percentage of people who develop retinopathy actually experience significant vision loss ... as long as the disease is identified in its early stages and treated accordingly.

All of the national healthcare agencies that deal with diabetes as a disease process all recommend that diabetics have their eyes examined by a competent eyecare professional at least once a year.  In order to assist patients in the beginning of this process, we at Eye Health offer free vision screenings to diabetic patients on a regular basis at our Dartmouth and Fall River offices.  the following criteria must be met:

• You must be diabetic
• You must not have had your eyes examined by an eye doctor within the past 12 months.
• You must never have participated in one of our free screenings before.

If you qualify, please call the office at 508-994-1400 to schedule an appointment.

When you come to the office, you will receive a complete examination by our staff of technicians and doctors.  You will be offered the opportunity to view education videotapes that describe all facets of diabetic retinopathy and resulting consequences.  You will also be given handout materials to take home with you.  The doctor will also discuss with you the health of your eyes and offer recommendations on any required follow-up care.