Congressional Briefing on Pre-Diabetes and Vis...( Featured Speaker CDC D...),Health

Featured Speaker CDC Director Dr. Ann Albright

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ --

WHAT: Prevent Blindness America and VSP(R) Vision Care will sponsor a

briefing, "Your Eyes: the Windows to Your Health -- A Briefing on

Pre-Diabetes and the Role of Eyecare in Prevention," to be

presented to the congressional staff.

WHY: 21 million Americans have diabetes, but only one-third know they

are living with this disease. It's even more startling to think

that there are 54 million Americans with higher than normal blood

glucose levels, a condition known as "pre-diabetes," which can

lead to Type 2 diabetes without intervention.

Comprehensive eye exams can detect signs of diabetes before actual

symptoms occur, which can help prevent 90 percent of

diabetes-related blindness and allow patients to start proper

treatment earlier.

WHO: Ann Albright, PhD, RD

Director, Division of Diabetes Translation

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Paul Brant, OD

Former President, Maryland Optometric Association

Mark Bronstein, MD

Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, UCI College of

Medicine Master of Medical Management Candidate, University of

Southern California

WHERE: 121 Cannon House Office Building, Room 121

Washington, D.C., 20515

WHEN: Tues., Feb. 5, 2008 4 p.m. EST