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National Diabetes Month

A person with diabetes checks their blood sugar

November is National Diabetes Month

Diabetic eye disease, a leading cause of blindness, often has no early warning signs. That’s why it’s so important for people with diabetes to get regular eye exams to catch problems early — and get timely treatment and the right follow-up care.

During National Diabetes Month, join the National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP) in spreading the word about how people with diabetes can protect their vision! Use our educational resources to make sure everyone with diabetes has the facts about diabetic eye disease.

Share these resources

Use our resources to spread the word about how people with diabetes can protect their vision. 

The NEI See What I See VR app logo.

Get an inside look at diabetic retinopathy

Our virtual reality (VR) app — See What I See — shows what it’s like to live with vision loss from common eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy.

A person wearing headphones writes on paper while using a laptop.

Learn how diabetes impacts eye health

Join NEI and  the National Caucus and Center on Black Aging, Inc. on November 2, 2023, for the Diabetes and Your Eye Health: Advocating for Quality Eye Care webinar. During the webinar, we’ll talk about how diabetes affects eye health, tips for navigating the health care system, advocating for quality care, and more!

American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) Retina Health for Life podcast: From the President's corner.

Hear from experts on diabetic eye disease

In 2022, NEI joined the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) to discuss diabetic eye disease on the Retina Health for Life podcast. During the episode, NEI’s Dr. Emily Chew and NEHEP Planning Group member and ASRS President Dr. Judy Kim share eye disease prevention tips for people with diabetes — and highlight exciting research that may advance treatment for diabetic eye disease!

Give a presentation

You can share important information about how people with diabetes can protect their vision.

Spread the word on social media

Use the sample X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook posts below to tell your followers about National Diabetes Month.

X (formerly Twitter)

  • #DYK? In the U.S., more than 1 in 4 people with diabetes who are age 40 or older have diabetic retinopathy. This #NationalDiabetesMonth, learn more about this condition from @NatEyeInstitute: https://www.nei.nih.gov/diabetes

  • If you have #diabetes, make a plan this #NationalDiabetesMonth to check in with an eye doctor about your #EyeHealth. If you don’t have an eye doctor, use @NatEyeInstitute’s tips to find one near you:  https://www.nei.nih.gov/FindADoctor

  • November is #NationalDiabetesMonth! If you have #diabetes, learn about diabetic retinopathy and how to take care of your #EyeHealth! Watch and share @NatEyeInstitute’s video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxMOsMDM1UM

  • It’s #NationalDiabetesMonth! It’s especially important for people with #diabetes to get regular eye care — but the cost can add up fast. That’s why @NatEyeInstitute has info to help you find free or low-cost eye care: https://www.nei.nih.gov/LowCostEyeCare

Facebook

  • Did you know? In the United States, more than 1 in 4 people with #diabetes who are age 40 or older have diabetic retinopathy — the most common kind of diabetic eye disease. This #NationalDiabetesMonth, learn more about diabetic retinopathy from @NationalEyeInstitute: https://www.nei.nih.gov/diabetes
  • If you have #diabetes, make a plan this month to check in with an eye doctor about your #EyeHealth. If you don’t have an eye doctor, use @NationalEyeInstitute's tips to find one near you: https://www.nei.nih.gov/FindADoctor
  • November is #NationalDiabetesMonth! If you have #diabetes, learn about #DiabeticRetinopathy and caring for your #EyeHealth. Watch and share @NationalEyeInstitute's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxMOsMDM1UM
  • It’s #NationalDiabetesMonth! It’s especially important for people with #diabetes to get regular eye care — but the cost can add up fast. That’s why @NationalEyeInstitute has info to help you find free or low-cost eye care: https://www.nei.nih.gov/LowCostEyeCare

Last updated: October 31, 2023