November is National Diabetes Month and Diabetic Eye Disease Month

In honor of National Diabetes Month and Diabetic Eye Disease Month, the Diabetes and Endocrine Center at Nashoba Valley Medical Center (NVMC) is hosting a Diabetes Expo on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, from 2:30 to 6 p.m., in NVMC’s Founders Conference Room, 200 Groton Road in Ayer, Massachusetts. Patients of all ages are invited to attend and meet the expert medical staff of the Diabetes and Endocrine Center, as well as visit product and service exhibitors, learn about diabetes prevention and management, and collect tips for healthy eating during the holiday season.

According the American Diabetes Association, 29.1 million Americans are living with diabetes and NVMC’s Diabetes and Endocrine Center is dedicated to helping people with diabetes, their families, and caregivers understand the intricacies of diabetes. The largest accredited center in the region, NVMC’s Diabetes and Endocrine Center offers patients the opportunity to utilize the treatment, knowledge and expertise of its endocrinologists, nurse practitioners, diabetes nurse educators and a dietitian who are certified diabetes educators.

“Our highly specialized team works with patients and their families to help them manage the interactions of diet, medication, exercise and other factors to bring blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible,” said Roshney Jacob, MD, an endocrinologist at Nashoba’s Diabetes and Endocrine Center. “Our goal is to help patients avoid or minimize diabetes-related complications and to maximize their overall health.”

In addition to the program and services offered at the Diabetes and Endocrine Center, NVMC’s Eye Care Institute is the only hospital in the region able to offer patients with diabetes certain highly advanced ophthalmic surgeries, including a surgical procedure called a vitrectomy to treat diabetic retinopathy.

People with diabetes are more likely to develop eye problems, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, which is a disease that damages the retina and can cause vision loss and in extreme cases complete blindness. According to the National Eye Institute, nearly half of those who have diabetes will develop some degree of diabetic retinopathy during their lifetimes.

“We recently acquired a cutting-edge microscope and top-of-the-line vitrectomy system allowing patients with diabetes to now have access to world class retina surgical procedures, right in their own backyard,” said Salvatore Perla, president of Nashoba Valley Medical Center.

For more information about Nashoba Valley Medical Center’s Diabetes Expo, visit www.nashobamed.org/Diabetes-and-Endocrine-Center. To learn more about the services offered at the Diabetes and Endocrine Center or Eye Care Institute, visit www.nashobamed.org.

About Nashoba Valley Medical Center

Nashoba Valley Medical Center (NVMC) offers community-based primary care and specialty services. NVMC was awarded an A, the highest grade possible, in hospital safety by the Leapfrog Group, and recipient of the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval. Areas of clinical strength include emergency medicine, diagnostic imaging, cardiology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, oncology, orthopedics, physical therapy and general surgery. NVMC also offers a comprehensive Diabetes and Endocrine Center, Travel Clinic and Occupational Health Services. Nashoba Valley Medical Center is part of the Steward Health Care System LLC, the largest integrated community care organization in New England which combines over 3,000 physicians, 10 acute care hospital campuses, managed care, insurance programs, home care, an imaging operation, and a number of other post-acute services, to provide the most cost effective and highest quality of integrated patient care. Additional information is available at www.nashobamed.org.

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