Managing Diabetes: The Oral-Vision Connection

Many are aware of serious diabetes-related complications such as heart disease, nerve damage, and limb amputation. However, people may not be aware of how diabetes can affect oral and visual health.

November is National Diabetes Month, and primary care physicians, dentists and eye-care specialists are ur

ging people to schedule regular checkups. For people with diabetes, these visits can help regulate the disease’s impact on dental, visual and overall health. For people who are not aware that they might have diabetes, certain signs and symptoms can help diagnose the disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one-quarter of the 26 million Americans with diabetes, and 90 percent of the 79 million adults with prediabetes, are unaware of their condition.

"There are many people who do not know that they have diabetes, or are at risk for developing diabetes, and this puts a premium on diagnosis. The eyes and mouth can be a window into your health," says Michael D. Weitzner, DMD, MS, vice president of National Clinical Operations for United Healthcare’s dental business.

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