Seems like every time you open a newspaper or magazine, there’s some new revelation about the deleterious effects of America’s love affair with sugar, animal fat, starch, TV and the sofa. So far this year, this is what we’ve learned:

• The incidence of diabetes in the overall population has increased 33% from 1990 to 1998, and an alarming 75% in the 30-39 age group.
• Males with abdominal adiposity have a 31% greater risk of developing cataract than other males.
• Too many saturated, monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats increase one’s risk of developing AMD (see “Fatty Snacks Hike the Risk of AMD”).

The clinical results are problems that manifest everyday on the other side of the slit lamp. As clinician and researcher Stuart Richer, O.D., Ph.D., reports this month in our Optometric Study Center CE course, “Nutrition Facts: Science, Diet and the Eyes”, there is much more to this epidemic than meets the eye, if you’ll pardon the pun.

Optometry has evolved into a primary care health discipline in which you are now a vital player on your patients’ health management team. Their diet, lifestyle, weight and general overall health should be as important to you as your exam findings should be to their general practitioner.

Do you ask your patients these questions? What is your cholesterol level? What is the state of you general, overall health? Has anyone in your family had breast or prostate cancer?

The human body is truly the sum of its parts. When one organ malfunctions, it sets off a cascade effect that affects all others. Hypercholesterolemia is a precursor of retinal occlusionary and carotid artery disease. A “spare tire” is a warning sign of heart attack, stroke and cataract. Hypertension is a risk factor for glaucoma. Throw in smoking, alcohol consumption, lack of exercise and poor diet, and the risks multiply.

So if you’ve asked why an optometry magazine devotes so much coverage to health and nutrition, I have an easy answer for you. As a member of your patients’ health management team, you need to know this stuff.