Dedicated to Improving the Lives of Blind and Visually Impaired People

Diabetes Alert Day: March 23: A One-Day “Wake-Up Call”

Each year, the fourth Tuesday in March is recognized as “American Diabetes Association 
Diabetes Alert Day.” This “is a one-day ‘wake-up call’ that focuses on the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of understanding your risk.” Toward that end, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases offers tips and guidance to spread the word about Type 2 diabetes, since many Americans are unaware they have this condition and thus are at greater risk of developing eye disease and possible vision loss. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new cases of legal blindness in adults aged 20–74 years. For more information For more about diabetic eye disease from the NIH National Eye Institute (NEI) , prevention and rehabilitation for those who have lost vision: Diabetic eye disease