diabetes Glucoma

[Cavtrooper088]

Hi Gang,

Has any one heard of a glucoma/diabetes connection relative to A/O? I have diabietes (20%) and recently developed a (so far) mild case of glucoma. I have no family history of either one of these ailments and am wondering if the glucoma is a result of diabetes? So far the diabetes has not caused any bleeding in the back of the eye and the oral medication seems to be controlling it fairly well (blood sugar stays at 130-140). <_< Man- I just love these little faces LOL

Thanks

Cavtrooper088

[allan]

Diabetes Seems to Heighten Glaucoma Risk

Regular screenings may help prevent irreversible nerve damage

By Serena Gordon

Posted 5/2/08

FRIDAY, May 2 (HealthDay News) -- While diabetes has long been associated with the potentially sight-stealing disease diabetic retinopathy, it appears that another serious eye disease -- glaucoma -- may also be a complication of the metabolic disorder.

Read the full US News artical hear....

http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/healthday/080502/diabetes-seems-to-heighten-glaucoma-risk.htm

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1: Surv Ophthalmol. 2008 Nov;53 Suppl1:S3-10.

Risk factors for glaucoma onset and progression.

Coleman AL, Miglior S.

Frances and Ray Stark Professor of Ophthalmology and Epidemiology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.

In this review, we distinguish among risk factors associated with the development of open-angle glaucoma in individuals with healthy eyes, predictive determinants for the development of open-angle glaucoma in subjects with ocular hypertension, and prognostic factors for the progression of open-angle glaucoma in individuals who already have the disease. We primarily reviewed recent longitudinal population-based epidemiological studies, prospectively planned clinical trials, and cohort studies. Risk factors consistently associated with the development of open-angle glaucoma in individuals with healthy eyes include older age and an approximately 1 mm Hg increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) at baseline. Family history for open-angle glaucoma may be associated with the development of open-angle glaucoma as well. Predictive factors for the development of open-angle glaucoma in individuals with ocular hypertension may be older age, thinner central corneal thickness, higher cup-to-disk ratios of the optic disc, and higher pattern standard deviation values on the Humphrey automated perimeter at baseline. Given multi-center trials that showed similar predictive factors for the development of open-angle glaucoma in individuals with ocular hypertension, a calculator is available to clinicians for assessing the 5-year likelihood of developing open-angle glaucoma in ocular hypertensive patients with certain characteristics. Prognostic factors for the progression of open-angle glaucoma in individuals who already have the condition include older age at baseline, higher IOP at baseline, and thinner central conreal thickness. Self-report of diabetes may be associated with open-angle glaucoma progression. In conclusion, the only modifiable factor associated with open-angle glaucoma that has been consistently identified is elevated baseline IOP. Future research needs to evaluate the importance of others modifiable factors such as IOP fluctuation or nutritional factors.

PMID: 19038621 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1903862...Pubmed_RVDocSum

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1: Arch Ophthalmol. 2008 Dec;126(12):1740-7. LinksProjection of diabetic retinopathy and other major eye diseases among people with diabetes mellitus: United States, 2005-2050.

Saaddine JB, Honeycutt AA, Narayan KM, Zhang X, Klein R, Boyle JP.

Division of Diabetes Translation/Vision Health Initiative, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. jsaaddine@cdc.gov

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the number of people with diabetic retinopathy (DR), vision-threatening DR (VTDR), glaucoma, and cataracts among Americans 40 years or older with diagnosed diabetes mellitus for the years 2005-2050.

METHODS: Using published prevalence data of DR, VTDR, glaucoma, and cataracts and data from the National Health Interview Survey and the US Census Bureau, we projected the number of Americans with diabetes with these eye conditions.

RESULTS: The number of Americans 40 years or older with DR and VTDR will triple in 2050, from 5.5 million in 2005 to 16.0 million for DR and from 1.2 million in 2005 to 3.4 million for VTDR. Increases among those 65 years or older will be more pronounced (2.5 million to 9.9 million for DR and 0.5 million to 1.9 million for VTDR). The number of cataract cases among whites and blacks 40 years or older with diabetes will likely increase 235% by 2050, and the number of glaucoma cases among Hispanics with diabetes 65 years or older will increase 12-fold.

CONCLUSION: Future increases in the number of Americans with diabetes will likely lead to significant increases in the number with DR, glaucoma, and cataracts. Our projections may help policy makers anticipate future demands for health care resources and possibly guide the development of targeted interventions.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Efforts to prevent diabetes and to optimally manage diabetes and its complications are needed.

PMID: 19064858 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1903862...Pubmed_RVDocSum

[allan]

Citation Nr: 0712998

Decision Date: 05/02/07 Archive Date: 05/15/07

DOCKET NO. 05-22 305 ) DATE

)

)

On appeal from the

Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in No. Little

Rock, Arkansas

THE ISSUES

1. Entitlement to service connection for glaucoma, secondary

to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

2. Entitlement to service connection for seborrheic

dermatitis (dermatitis), secondary to service-connected

diabetes mellitus.

.......................................

..............................

I. Glaucoma

The veteran's private medical records from a doctor of

optometry consistently show notations of his diabetic status

in conjunction with glaucoma. In February 2005, the veteran

underwent a VA ophthalmology examination. The physician

diagnosed glaucoma and stated that diabetes mellitus is a

risk factor for glaucoma, but does not cause glaucoma. The

Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise; thus,

it is sufficient to establish service connection for

glaucoma.............

....................

ORDER

Service connection for glaucoma, secondary to diabetes

mellitus, is granted.

Service connection for dermatitis, secondary to diabetes

mellitus, is granted.

____________________________________________

MICHAEL E. KILCOYNE

Veterans Law Judge, Board of Veterans' Appeals

Department of Veterans Affairs

Link to the complete case: http://www.va.gov/vetapp07/files2/0712998.txt

[allan]

(blue water navy vet)

Search Terms: GLAUCOMA SECONDARY DIABETES

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Designated for electronic publication only

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

No. 05-3317

Jack F. Thwaites, Appellant,

v.

R. James Nicholson,

Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Appellee.

......................................

................

Upon consideration of the foregoing, it is

ORDERED that the Board's October 31, 2005, decision is REVERSED to

the extent that the Board denied the appellant the application of the

presumption of exposure to herbicides. It is further

ORDERED that the Board's decision denying service connection for

diabetes mellitus on a presumptive basis is VACATED and REMANDED for

readjudication consistent with this decision. It is further

ORDERED that the Board's decision denying secondary service

connection for a circulatory disorder, glaucoma, hypertension, kidney

disease, interventricular bleeding, residuals of a stroke, and a seizure

disorder, all claimed as the result of diabetes mellitus, is VACATED and

REMANDED for readjudication consistent with this decision.

DATED: October 16, 2006 BY THE COURT:

WILLIAM A. MOORMAN

Judge

Copies to:

Robert V. Chisholm

VA General Counsel (027)

************************************************

link to complete case: http://search.vetapp.gov/isysquery/7ee64d6...aee00934/3/doc/

Edited July 7, 2009 by allan

[sgmdae]

Good information, Glocoma was found to be a secondary to Diabetis and awarded Citation Nr 0712998 5/02/07

[john999]

There is a pretty close relationship between cataracts and DMII as well. These VA doctors examine you, and never tell you that you might have a SC condition due to AO. They don't even know about the connections, and if they did know they probably would keep their mouths shut. Doctors in the private sector know absolutely nothing about agent orange and possible related diseases. You tell them that you DMII is due to AO and they just look blankly at you.

[sharon]

There is a pretty close relationship between cataracts and DMII as well. These VA doctors examine you, and never tell you that you might have a SC condition due to AO. They don't even know about the connections, and if they did know they probably would keep their mouths shut. Doctors in the private sector know absolutely nothing about agent orange and possible related diseases. You tell them that you DMII is due to AO and they just look blankly at you.

Once you have done your own research you can take it to the doctor (VA or otherwise) an usually they will concur. The fact that a doctor works for the VA does not mean that they are knowledgeable about the claim process. For some of them English is a second language.

Edited July 25, 2009 by sharon