Clinical Eye Research

NC LIONS AND RESEARCH

The Lions of North Carolina have been involved in Clinical Eye Research for many years. Since 1990 we have successfully completed two projects: The North Carolina Lions Clinical Eye Research Center at Bowman Gray and the North Carolina Lions Pediatric Eye Care Center at Duke Medical Center. Over one million dollars was raised in support of these projects. We have established a Clinical Eye Research Committee to oversee these activities. One representative is appointed by each of the nine District Governors in North Carolina. This committee is updated on projects underway and visits the centers on a regular basis. In each quarterly edition of our statewide newspaper, which goes to every lion, articles are published concerning the activities of these centers.

Current Project: NC Lions Diabetic Eye Clinic

Our goal is to raise $150,000 to purchase equipment to establish the NC Lions Diabetic Eye Clinic at the UNC Healthcare Diabetes Center. The Diabetes Center has been in existence since 1996 under the direction of John Buse, M.D. Ph.D. Its goal is to provide comprehensive medical care to diabetics and referral services for primary-care doctors treating North Carolinians with diabetes.

This setting is a particularly appealing model of care for such a group of patients with multiple health care needs. A patient can come to the center for a nutrition evaluation, wound care, and an eye exam all in one afternoon.

Because diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in working aged Americans, convenience of eye care is paramount for these patients. Early detection of eye disease can have a significant impact on prevention of blindness. The eye is also an important organ to examine in the context of clinical studies. We must work to make sure that all patients with diabet4es get regular eye exams and develop new and better therapies for patients who develop diabetic eye disease.

WHAT IS DIABETES?

Whenever you eat, your body must break down and digest some of the foods into sugars. One of these sugars is called glucose. It is your body's main source of energy.

When this sugar enters your bloodstream, a rise in your blood sugar level occurs. To counter this rise in blood sugar, your pancreas starts making insulin and releases it into your bloodstream. This insulin moves sugar from the bloodstream into your body's cells. Your cells then use the sugar as fuel for energy.

With diabetes, your body is unable to remove sugar from your bloodstream and deliver it to your cells. The sugar ends up staying in your blood, causing high blood sugar or uncontrolled diabetes.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF DIABETES

There are two main types of diabetes:

With type 1 diabetes, your body makes little or no insulin. This is called insulin deficiency and occurs most frequently in the childhood or teen years.

With type 2 diabetes, your body has a difficult time using the insulin made by your pancreas or the insulin you take. this is known as insulin resistance. Also, your ability to make enough insulin may gradually decrease over time. Consequently sugar builds up in your blood stream and can lead to serious complications associated with diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can occur among younger people, but more commonly it develops in adults. Over 90% of people with diabetes have type 2.

NEED

It is estimated that 16 million Americans suffer from diabetes. What's alarming is the fact that one-third, don't even know that they have it. The incidence of diabetes in our society is on the rise and affects people of all races, socioeconomic class and ages. Around 389,000 people have diagnosed diabetes in North Carolina. The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes has increased 52% from 1994 to 2000.

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the working age population. This cause of blindness is nearly always treatable when discovered early, usually before an individual has visual symptoms. Diabetics are also at a greater risk for glaucoma and cataracts, which are also treatable forms of eye disease.

YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED

All contributions for the NC Lions Diabetic Eye Clinic should be mailed to the NCLF office and marked for Clinical Eye Research. Should you need additional information, please call the NCLF office or contact your district Clinical Eye Research Chairman.

For more information on Diabetes contact:

American Diabetes Association
1-800-342-2383
www.diabetes.org

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
1-301-654-3327
www.niddk.nih.gov

American Dietetic Association
1-800-877-1600
www.eatright.org

American Association of Diabetes Educators
1-312-424-2426
www.aadenet.org