By Tanya Terry
As of 2012, 4.2 million Americans aged 40 years and older were suffering from uncorrectable vision impairment, out of which 1.02 million were blind, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This number is predicted to more than double by 2050 to 8.96 million due to the increasing epidemics of diabetes and other chronic diseases and our rapidly aging U.S. population.
According to the National Eye Institute, Black/African American people are at higher risk for some eye diseases, like cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Many of these diseases are linked to other health conditions that affect overall health, like diabetes or high blood pressure. More than 825,000 Black/African American people have diabetic retinopathy — and this number could be more than 1 million by 2030. Black/African American people are also at higher risk for glaucoma at younger ages.
Dr. Leroy Johnson recently talked to the Courier about how good visual health enhances overall quality of life.
“Going to an annual examination can help with the diagnosis of other health-related illnesses,” Johnson said. “The eyes can show the health of your body. Change in color, ability to see and more can hint at an underlying health condition such as diabetes or high cholesterol that your opthalmologist would be able to help advise you on. Eye health is extremely important to prevent blindness, cataracts and more.”
Getting regular checkups can help prevent damage and eye disease. But what some people don’t realize is even some conditions can be treated once they have started.
“Many eye conditions are silent. Seeing an ophthalmologist regularly means that you will be able to get early diagnosis that will lead to proper treatment and could mean the difference between saving your eye health. Depending on the disease or illness, they can be treatable with a treatment plan. A majority of society does not view vision and eye health as direct links to their physical health. So, they are sometimes surprised when they hear about the connection.”
Johnson pointed out having high cholesterol increases a person’s chances of stroke, heart attack and more.
“Getting an early diagnosis could mean the difference between life and death. Eye diseases such as glaucoma, unfortunately, cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Damage cannot be reversed, but further damage can be prevented or at least slowed down by reducing the eye pressure with either drops, laser or surgery. The great majority of treated glaucoma patients retain useful vision for the rest of the lives and do not go blind.”
National and state data show that for more than half of adult Americans who did not seek eye care it is due to lack of awareness or costs; which often exacerbated by lack of adequate health insurance. Yet, 90% of blindness caused by diabetes is preventable, according to the CDC.
Hamilton operates on a sliding fee scale.
“All of our initial screenings are free, and then based on income and next steps and care that needs to be done is where we develop the price of our services,” Johnson explained. “Screenings are the first step to getting a diagnosis, early detection and getting your foot through the door to get treatment.”
Vision services can be found at the Hamilton Community Health Main Clinic (2900 N. Saginaw St, Flint, Michigan 48505). The operation hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
To get in with Dr. Johnson or another Hamilton provider, call 810-406-4246, or visit HamiltonCHN.org to schedule an appointment.
