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Dick Vitale, sports personality and television
commentator has been named as the new spokesperson for Michigan Eyes on Diabetes
(MEOD). The community based pilot
collaboration includes the Michigan Department of Community Health’s Diabetic
Prevention and Control Program, Michigan Optometric Association, SouthEast
Michigan Diabetes Outreach Network, the Lions Clubs of Michigan, Optometric
Institute and Clinic of Metropolitan Detroit and local retinal specialists.
MEOD is a direct outgrowth of Healthy Eyes - People 2010, which is a program developed by the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services to improve Americans’ health regardless of income, race or ethnicity. Estimates
from the Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) indicate that as many as 400,000 people in
Michigan have diabetes and only 40 to 50 percent of them receive an annual dilated eye examination. The National
Institute of Health estimates that in Michigan, one third of persons with diabetes have diabetic retinopathy.
Dick Vitale knows a good play when he sees one. “If you or a loved one have diabetes, get a dilated eye
examination every year. Ask your family eye doctor or call Michigan Eyes on Diabetes” exhorts Vitale.
Vitale and Michigan Eyes on Diabetes will utilize public
service announcements (initially targeting the tri-county areas in Wayne,
Oakland and Macomb)
as a referral source for people with diabetes to obtain dilated retinal
examinations. Those with their own
family eye doctor are encouraged to receive the yearly check-up. “It’s awesome baby! You may be able to prevent loss of eyesight
with an annual dilated eye examination.
Damage from diabetes can be detected and at times be stopped, before
you’re slam-dunked,” continues Vitale.
Optometric Institute and Clinic of Metropolitan Detroit will
see the majority of uninsured diabetic participants. These evaluations will be funded by Optical
Dimensions of Royal Oak. Local retinal
specialists will provide retina laser treatment when retina bleeding is sight
threatening.
For
further information on Michigan Eyes on Diabetes please contact Helen at
(313) 872-6011. |
