Programs
Community Programs
Vision Project
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of both type
1 and type 2 diabetes. It is the most frequent cause of new
cases of blindness among adults aged 20-74 years. Patients
with diabetes should have retinal scanner, dilated eye and
comprehensive eye exams annually, as visual loss may be prevented
by early detection and treatment. (Diabetes Care, January
2006) In our state, a lack of patient understanding and access
to care prevent many from participating in these non-invasive
examinations.
The DPCP contracts with several clinics to try to remove
some of these barriers to care and increase the potential
for healthy eyesight for New Mexicans by:
- Conducting weekly diabetic retinal eye scans on-site.
- Assessing patient needs and referral sources.
- Supporting a case manager and a community health worker
to act as community liaison for the project.
- Developing patient assessment, educational and intervention
plans.
- Maintaining a continuous quality improvement process
to evaluate effectiveness.
The DPCP sponsors the Lion’s Eye Foundation to provide
dilated eye exams for people with diabetes in the eye van
at various locations throughout New Mexico.
The DPCP is also a member of the New Mexico Health Care
Takes on Diabetes (NMHCTOD). NMHCTOD is a broad coalition
of 27 health care organizations. The vision work group
is exploring barriers that keep people with diabetes from
getting an annual dilated eye exam. They plan to have a statewide
campaign to increase healthcare professional and patient
awareness of this important element in the care of people
with diabetes.
- NMHCTOD has developed a Diabetes Resource Compendium
for both healthcare providers and patients. The publications
and resources are available at www.nmtod.com.
- For more information the contact person to NMHCTOD is:
Charm
Lindblad, Executive Director, email clind48535@aol.com.
- The contact person for Diabetes Prevention and Control
program is:
Pam Kovach, RN, email Pamela.Kovach@state.nm.us.
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