How diabetes affects the eyes

Pediatric Ophthalmologist Kenneth Wright, MD, shares advice for parents on how diabetes can affect the eyes in children and why it is important to have your diabetic child's eyes checked regularly
How Diabetes Affects The Eyes In Children
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How diabetes affects the eyes

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Diabets can occur in children, juvenile onset diabetes, high sugar in the blood. And it can affect the retina. The retina is in the back of the eye. It is like the film of a camera. It processes vision. The diabetes over a long period of time, especially if it is not controlled, can result in damage to the retina, damage to the blood vessels in the retina and the loss of vision. So, number one, let´s be real careful about controlling the diabetes. Number two, a diabetic child should have an eye exam, especially if they have had diabetes for more than four or five years. And then, they should have a yearly eye exam to make sure their retina is okay. There is a treatment for the diabetic retinopthamy. They can use laser and even now a new medicine, which is an anti veg f medicine. So there is a treatment for the retinal problem. So number one, let´s control the diabetes. Number two, routine eye exam in children who are diabetic.

Pediatric Ophthalmologist Kenneth Wright, MD, shares advice for parents on how diabetes can affect the eyes in children and why it is important to have your diabetic child's eyes checked regularly

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Kenneth Wright, MD

Pediatric Ophthalmologist

A caring physician, Dr. Kenneth Wright is devoted to the health of children’s eyes. He is an internationally respected pediatric ophthalmologist, and is included in “The Best Doctors in America” and “Who’s Who in Medicine and Health Care.”  Dr. Wright is a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the USC Keck School of Medicine.  He has developed novel surgical techniques for pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus.  Dr. Wright received his medical degree from Boston University and fellowships in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus at Johns-Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, and Children’s Hospital, Washington, DC.  Following his fellowships, he then accepted a full-time faculty member position at USC School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles where he served for 10 years.  He was later appointed Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, before returning home to Los Angeles to establish a pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus center of excellence.  

Dr. Wright has authored of over 100 published scientific papers, seven textbooks including his renowned textbook, Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and has lectured worldwide.  He founded the non-profit Wright Foundation with a mission to reduce blindness and suffering in children with eye disorders through research, education, and clinical care. He has established a pediatric eye clinic for underprivileged children.  Important to the Wright Center is the principle that patient care always comes first.  

An interesting personal note is that Dr. Wright’s youngest son developed crossed eyes as an infant requiring surgery and Dr. Wright operated on his own son.  The outcome was excellent and years later his son served in the United States Marine Corps as a top marksman.

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