Did you know that an estimated 17.9 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes and another 57 million people are at risk of getting the disease? What many of these individuals may not know is that all people with diabetes — both type 1 and type 2 — are at risk for getting diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of vision loss among adults in the United States. In fact, people with diabetes are 25 times more likely to lose their vision than those without the disease. November is Diabetes Awareness Month and during this month-long health observance EyeCare America is asking Americans with diabetes to know the ABCs of diabetes and eye health. A — Alert your eye doctor if you have been diagnosed with diabetes; B — Be sure to have your eyes examined regularly; and C — Call 1-800-272-EYES (3937), if you are 65 or older and without an ophthalmologist, to see if you qualify for a no-cost dilated eye exam through EyeCare America’s Diabetes EyeCare Program. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. In some people with diabetic retinopathy, blood vessels may swell and leak fluid. In other people, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy usually has no warning signs. Over time, however, the vision blurs and everyday tasks become more difficult. Vision loss cannot usually be regained.