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Prevent Blindness has once again declared November as Diabetes-related Eye Disease Awareness Month. Early detection and treatment of diabetes is essential, as the risk of developing significant vision loss and blindness increases the longer someone has diabetes. To help educate the public, including parents and care partners of individuals with diabetes, as well as allied health professionals, we offer free resources that include fact sheets and social media graphics in English and Spanish, web pages, and a variety of educational videos. |
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November is
National Family Caregiver Month
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Newly released data from a survey conducted by the Gr8 Eye Movement, our collaborative awareness campaign with Regeneron, underscore common misperceptions about eye health and a lack of awareness of serious retinal diseases among caregivers of aging adults. Key findings from this national survey, which was conducted last year with at-risk adults and their loved ones, include:
- Almost 80% of surveyed caregivers mistakenly view vision loss as an inevitable part of aging
- Fewer than 30% are aware of both wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) and diabetic retinal diseases, including diabetic macular edema (DME) and diabetic retinopathy (DR)
- 75% say it would be challenging to care for someone with significant vision loss
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Tips for Caring for Someone Living with a Retinal Disease | |
Caregivers play a critical role for those at risk of developing serious retinal conditions such as wAMD, DME, and DR, so it's important that they have access to resources to support them. Learn more about the importance of routine eye exams and practical tips for caregivers from the Gr8 Eye Movement. | |
Who Are Caregivers?
Formal caregivers are volunteers or paid care providers associated with a service system. Informal caregivers are family, friends, neighbors or church members who provide unpaid care out of love, respect, obligation or friendship to a person living with low vision. These people far outnumber formal caregivers, and without them, this country would have a difficult time formally funding the caregiving needs of a growing number of people with age-related eye disease and other conditions.
Find out more at Living Well With Low Vision
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Join Us for the Fifth Annual
Thyroid Eye Disease (TED)
Awareness Week
November 18-24
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We provide free educational content to TED patients, care partners and healthcare professionals, including expert videos, fact sheets, and social media graphics, available in English and Spanish, as well as a dedicated webpage. This year’s TED Awareness Week is supported by Amgen, Immunovant, Inc., Tourmaline Bio., and Viridian Therapeutics.
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What is Macular Telangiectasia (MacTel)? | |
Macular telangiectasia [teh-LAN-jee-ek-TAY-zhuh], also called MacTel, is a rare eye disease that affects the part of the eye called the macula. The macula is a small area in the center of the retina that is responsible for sharp, straight-ahead vision. | MacTel causes a slow loss of central vision, which affects vision for tasks such as reading and driving. Most people with MacTel will not lose peripheral (side) vision. MacTel Type 2 is the most common type of macular telangiectasia. | |
MacTel Type 2: A Community Forum for Sharing Knowledge and Support
November 14, 6-7pm ET
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Are you living with Macular Telangiectasia Type 2 (MacTel) or have a family member who has been diagnosed with MacTel? If so, please join Prevent Blindness for this free 60-minute community forum.
Learning Objectives
- Learn about MacTel: what it is, how it is diagnosed, and how it is managed
- Understand the patient experience of individuals living with MacTel
- Learn about resources available to those living with MacTel
This event is made possible with funding from:
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What You Need to Know About Clinical Trials
Learn more about finding and participating in clinical trials for eye diseases and vision.
PreventBlindness.org
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