Today, the American Diabetes Association® (ADA) in collaboration with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Optometric Association, the American Society of Retinal Specialists, and the National Eye Institute, announced a new resource to improve communication between diabetes care clinicians and eye health clinicians.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than half of all people with diabetes don’t receive an annual dilated and comprehensive eye exam as recommended or are diagnosed with diabetes-related eye problems too late for effective treatment. In addition, an ADA survey found that health care professionals (HCPs) and eye care professionals (ECPs) prefer an efficient exchange of information to increase patient co-management. Effective and ongoing communication between HCPs and ECPs is crucial to improving eye health outcomes in patients with diabetes. The ADA convened leading eye health organizations to address the root of these communication issues and developed the new Eye Care Interprofessional Communication Protocol.
“Efficient communication between all parties can help people with diabetes take action to slow the progression or reverse the damage of diabetes-related eye disease, heal, and protect vision. As we continue to tackle the needs of health care professionals and people with diabetes, we are excited to release this communication tool and continue the fight for improving outcomes for people with diabetes through better eye care,” said Dr. Robert Gabbay, chief scientific and medical officer for the ADA.
The protocol includes two algorithms with narrative explanations detailing the recommended processes for eye care-related communications. The first algorithm focuses on appropriate referrals and eye care coordination for patients diagnosed with diabetes. The second algorithm offers guidance for eye care professionals who want to refer patients suspected to have undiagnosed diabetes or prediabetes.
As part of the ADA’s ongoing commitment to increase awareness about the connection between diabetes and eye health, the Focus on Diabetes® initiative, in partnership with Visionary Partners, VSP Vision™, and Regeneron, is proud to support this effort.
Please visit our website to download the free protocol today!
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About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization fighting to bend the curve on the diabetes epidemic and help people living with diabetes thrive. For 82 years, the ADA has driven discovery and research to treat, manage, and prevent diabetes while working relentlessly for a cure. Through advocacy, program development, and education we aim to improve the quality of life for the over 133 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes. Diabetes has brought us together. What we do next will make us Connected for Life. To learn more or to get involved, visit us at diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Join the fight with us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Spanish Facebook (Asociación Americana de la Diabetes), LinkedIn (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn), and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).
About VSP Vision
At VSP Vision, our purpose is to empower human potential through sight. As the first and only national not-for-profit vision benefits company, this is what drives everything we do. For more than 70 years, VSP has been the leader in health-focused vision care. Every day, the people who power our complementary businesses (VSP® Vision Care, Marchon Eyewear, Inc., Visionworks®, Eyefinity®, Eyeconic®, VSP Optics, and VSP Ventures) work together to create a world where everyone can bring their best vision to life. That means providing affordable access to eye care and eyewear for more than 85 million members through a network of more than 41,000 doctors. And it means expanding access to vision care to those disadvantaged by income, distance, or disaster. Through VSP Eyes of Hope®, more than 3.6 million people in need have received no-cost eye care and eyewear. Learn more about how we’re reinvesting in greater vision, health, and opportunities for all at vspvision.com.