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OPTOMETRY AND DIABETICS
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Although not technically our responsibility, primary care medicine seems unable to appropriately inform patients of their hemoglobin A1c number and its importance. As you all know, very few of your patients with diabetes have even heard of the A1c test, much less know their most recent score. It is, we think, of great importance that our patients know and follow their A1c. For that reason, we have developed a simple explanation of this test (at right) that has enabled our patients to gain a greater understanding of what this blood test is, and its relevance to their personal care. We urge you to copy or download the handout on this page so that you can move diabetes care to a higher level. Your patients, and their physicians, will be most grateful. Good communications with other doctors is also essential, especially in diabetes care. The second form (next page) is what we use when sending diabetes referrals. Kindly feel free to make use of it in your own practice. Simply affix your office letterhead at the top to make it uniquely yours. It is well established that most all chronic diseases are in large part self-inflicted. We all have plenty of responsibilities on our plates, and time is at a premium. Taking the time to educate, motivate and encourage our patients regarding their overall health—beyond their eyes—is the utmost expression of our compassion as doctors. Many patients smoke, eat poorly and choose “extra fries” over “exercise.” We encourage our colleagues to take an extra minute to encourage these patients to try to take more responsibility for their own wellbeing. It’s a distinctly uphill battle, but one worth the effort. Use these two forms to help communicate your findings and recommendations. WHAT IS A DIABETES 1Ac TEST? During the course of diabetes care, most patients have a special blood test done every three to four months. It is called the hemoglobin A1c test. The value of the A1c test is that it provides an excellent measure of how your blood glucose levels have been over the past two or three months. The daily blood glucose checks that you do yourself give you a measure of your blood glucose level at that moment, but daily blood glucose levels can fluctuate quite a bit. The A1c test is extremely important for monitoring how well your diabetes is controlled. The good news is this is a very simple test to understand. It is reported as a small number and should be below 7. For most people with diabetes, the A1c is generally between 6 and 7; this would indicate good, consistent control. If your A1c number is lower than 6, that is even better, but any reading below 7 is generally considered acceptable.
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