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PharmacyCOSTCO
BY 2032, the visually
impaired population
age 40 and older is
estimated to increase
by 66 percent—to
nearly 5. 1 million—and
the blind population to
increase 59 percent—
to 2. 2 million—in the
U.S., according to
Prevent Blindness ( preventblindness.org).
While this is largely attributable to an
aging population, many adults are
unaware that early detection of some
vision challenges is essential to preventing serious vision impairment.
Sometimes, eye problems are silent
and can go undetected without an exam
by a vision professional. That’s why it’s
important to have periodic eye exams.
Depending on your age and vision risk,
an eye exam could include tests for
visual acuity, refraction testing, a retinal
exam and more.
In addition to exams and following
the advice of a health care professional,
taking a dietary supplement to support
vision health might also be beneficial.
Kirkland Signature OcuSight Adult 50+
was formulated for adults who enjoy an
active lifestyle and want to help maintain their vision health. This product contains lutein and zeaxanthin, important
carotenoids found in the macula of the
eye; omega- 3, a major structural component of the retina; and nutrients, such
as antioxidants and minerals, to help
replenish the body. Kirkland Signature
OcuSight Adult 50+ offers these supplements in a once-daily formulation, and
it does not contain artificial dyes, artificial flavors or titanium dioxide, which
can be found in some
leading brands.
Kirkland Signature
OcuSight Adult 50+
is available in Costco
warehouses and on
Costco.com in a
300-count container,
at an exceptional
value compared
with other retailers.
Item #1023458.
BUYER’S PICK
Kirkland Signature™
OcuSight™ Adult 50+
Teresa Thompson
Buyer, Pharmacy
DIABETES
Preventing eye disease
DIABETES IS a disease in which blood
glucose levels are above normal. This
happens because the body doesn’t make
enough insulin (Type ; diabetes) or can’t
use insulin well enough to get glucose into
the cells (Type ; diabetes). Women can
develop diabetes during pregnancy (
gestational diabetes), which usually resolves
when the pregnancy is over. Uncontrolled
diabetes can lead to complications in any
part of the body. One common complication is eye disease.
According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC; cdc.gov),
high blood sugar and high blood pressure
can cause small blood vessels in the retina
to swell and leak. This can lead to blurry
vision and even blindness. Patients with
diabetes are also at a higher risk of developing cataracts (cloudy lenses) and glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye that
can damage the optic nerve).
Fortunately, there are many things
you can do to prevent eye problems if you
have diabetes. Maintaining blood glucose
levels that are closer to normal and keeping your blood pressure under control
can prevent or delay development of
diabetic eye disease.
It is also important to see your eye doctor for regular eye exams, as early stages of
diabetic eye disease may not have symptoms. Your eye doctor may put drops in your
eyes to dilate your pupils and examine the
back of your eyes, in addition to checking
your eye pressure and lens health. Having
regular dilated eye exams can help identify
diabetic eye disease early on. It is important
to talk to your doctor if you are having any
changes in vision, such as blurriness, dif-;culty reading, dark spots or ;ashing lights.
Diabetic eye disease can be treated with
surgery or medication, but it is best to prevent diabetic eye disease from developing.
According to the American Diabetes Association ( diabetes.org), several steps can be
taken to avoid eye problems:
•Keep your blood sugar and blood
pressure under tight control.
• If you smoke, stop.
•Visit your eye doctor at least once
a year for a dilated eye exam.
• Practice a healthy lifestyle, including
eating healthfully, exercising regularly and
maintaining a healthy weight.
Costco pharmacies o;er free diabetes
screenings. To ;nd a screening in your area,
go to Costco.com and search “health fairs.”
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT COSTCO PHARMACY, CLICK ON THE “PHARMACY” LINK
AT COSTCO.COM OR VISIT YOUR LOCAL COSTCO PHARMACIST.