November is National Diabetes Awareness Month.
The month of November is dedicated to highlighting the widespread impact of diabetes and the importance of early diagnosis and ongoing care. With more than 37 million Americans living with diabetes1, the need for increased awareness and innovative solutions to help prevent complications has never been greater. One of the most serious yet preventable complications of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of blindness in working-age adults.
Understanding Diabetes
For those living with diabetes, the body either doesn’t make enough insulin or cannot use it effectively, causing blood sugar levels to rise. Over time, high blood sugar can damage organs and systems throughout the body, leading to serious health complications like kidney disease, heart disease, nerve damage, and vision loss.
There are two main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes: An autoimmune condition where the body does not produce insulin.
- Type 2 diabetes: A condition where the body does not use insulin properly, often developing over time and influenced by lifestyle and genetics.
No matter the type, proactive management and early detection of complications are critical to prevent long-term damage.
The Care Gap in Diabetes Management
Managing diabetes requires regular monitoring, medication, and healthy lifestyle choices. Yet many people face barriers that make it difficult to access the care they need. These challenges often include:
- Limited provider access: Especially challenging in rural or underserved areas where specialists may be unavailable
- Scheduling challenges: Transportation, time off work, and childcare needs make it difficult for patients to attend multiple appointments
- Primary care workflow challenges: Busy practices may struggle to integrate preventive exams into routine visits
- Lack of awareness: Many patients do not fully understand the importance of routine check-ups for detecting complications early
These barriers are especially concerning when it comes to diabetic retinopathy. Because diabetic retinopathy can remain asymptomatic until advanced stages, regular eye exams for diabetes are essential. However, up to 85% of people living with diabetes miss their annual eye exam for diabetes, putting them at risk for undiagnosed diabetic retinopathy and vision loss.
Innovative Solutions for Managing Complications of Diabetes
Healthcare innovation continues to reshape how diabetes-related complications are detected and managed. Innovative solutions include:
- Telemedicine: Expands access to providers and supports continuous health monitoring.
- Wearable devices and remote monitoring: Provide real-time tracking of blood sugar and other health indicators.
- Autonomous AI systems: Bring specialty-level diagnostics into primary care
At Digital Diagnostics, we developed LumineticsCore®, the first FDA-cleared autonomous AI system for the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy at the point-of-care. Integrating LumineticsCore into primary care settings means patients can receive a convenient, sight-saving eye exam for diabetes that provides a diagnosis during the initial visit— without the need to wait for a specialist appointment. This can help close critical care gaps, support providers in delivering comprehensive diabetes management, and ultimately protect patients’ vision and quality of life.
Continuing Our Mission to Expand Access
During National Diabetes Awareness Month, we’re proud to advance our mission of improving access to essential exams and supporting health systems as they transform the way care is delivered. Through thoughtful collaboration, we can make earlier diagnoses and better outcomes a reality for people living with diabetes.
Want to see how LumineticsCore is already changing lives? Watch a patient story that shows the impact of better access to care.