[PHNUTR-L] Joslin Diabetes Center announces new national Joslin Vision Network affiliation program

[Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD]

Colleagues, the following is FYI and does not necessarily reflect my own
opinion. I have no further knowledge of the topic.
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Public release date: 27-Jun-2005
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-06/jdc-jdc062705.php

Contact: Marjorie Dwyer
marjorie.dwyer at joslin.harvard.edu
617-732-2415
Joslin Diabetes Center

Joslin Diabetes Center announces new national Joslin Vision Network 
affiliation program

First affiliate is Koch Eye Associates in Rhode Island
BOSTON -- Joslin Diabetes Center has launched a new affiliation program 
designed to bring Joslin's world-class vision resources to local 
communities across the United States and beyond. The first Joslin Vision 
Network (JVN) affiliation is with Koch Eye Associates in Warwick, R.I.

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most significant complications of 
diabetes. The problem is compounded because the disease is asymptomatic, 
especially in the early stages when it is most treatable. Missed or 
inadequate care can lead to devastating results. But with early 
detection and appropriate treatment, vision loss can be prevented.

"Diabetes is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the 
United States, and yet most patients do not get recommended care," said 
Alan M. Jacobson, M.D., Senior Vice President, Joslin Strategic 
Initiatives Division. "By creating the JVN Affiliate Program and 
partnering with leading organizations such as Koch Eye Associates, we 
can bring Joslin's proven techniques in managing eye disease to the 
millions of Americans across the country at risk for losing their vision 
from diabetic retinopathy."

The JVN is the only diagnostic retinal evaluation service offering 
patients a pain-free and non-dilated diabetic eye evaluation that has 
been validated against dilated eye exams by retinal specialists. The JVN 
is already in use at more than 35 federal health care sites in 15 
states, and implementation is planned at the Joslin Diabetes Center 
Affiliate in Bahrain.

"Our new Joslin affiliation allows us to offer world-class expertise to 
the estimated 100,000 people in Rhode Island with diabetes, and we are 
proud to be the first member of the JVN Affiliate Program," said Peter 
Koch, Chief Executive Officer, Koch Eye Associates. "The Koch physicians 
will care for our patients with diabetes-related eye disease, and we 
will collaborate with Joslin on research and care advancements."

The new Joslin Vision Network Affiliate Program is a clinical 
service-offering specific to eye care providers that enables them to 
incorporate the JVN into their practice and outreach programs. Under the 
program, eye care providers acquire images of patient retinas using the 
JVN System. The images are then sent to Joslin and evaluated by 
world-class clinicians from Joslin's Beetham Eye Institute under the 
clinical direction of Lloyd M. Aiello, M.D., a pioneer in preserving 
vision among people with diabetes. Dr. Aiello co-developed the JVN with 
Sven-Erik Bursell, Ph.D., Director of the JVN.

Joslin experts then prepare evaluation summaries and send them back to 
physicians at Koch for its use in determining treatment plans for its 
patients. Most insurance plans will cover the costs of the JVN imaging, 
evaluation and treatment plan.

"Koch Eye Associates has demonstrated a real commitment to ensuring the 
success of the program," said Dr. Aiello. "Dr. Paul Koch has developed 
diabetes-specific protocols for the practice and we expect it to become 
a Center of Excellence for diabetes eye care. With innovative solutions 
and partnerships like this, we can virtually eliminate vision loss from 
diabetic retinopathy."

Nationally an estimated 18 million Americans have diabetes; about 
one-third of them do not know they have the disease (type 2 diabetes). 
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney 
Diseases, diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among 
adults 20 to 74 years of age. Diabetic retinopathy (damage to the blood 
vessels in the retina) causes between 12,000 and 24,000 new cases of 
blindness every year. Early detection can prevent or delay blindness due 
to diabetic retinopathy in 90 percent of the cases.

###

About Joslin's Affiliated Programs

Joslin Diabetes Center currently has Affiliated Programs in 22 
facilities throughout the United States and in the Kingdom of Bahrain. 
Patients receiving care at Joslin Affiliates benefit from the expertise 
of the Joslin staff. The Affiliates receive regularly scheduled visits 
from and participate in conferences with members of the Joslin 
healthcare team.

About Koch Eye Associates

Koch Eye Associates is Rhode Island's largest and most comprehensive eye 
care center that provides patients with a full range of preventative, 
maintenance, and restorative eye care procedures. Founded in 1981, Koch 
Eye Associates is located in eight Rhode Island communities and in East 
Lyme, Conn.

The opening of the new Koch Eye Associates Diabetes Center at 552 
Tollgate Road in Warwick, R.I., on July 1 will enhance the full 
complement of diagnostic, preventative care, treatment and surgical 
services offered by Koch Eye Associates. Appointments are now being 
scheduled. For more information, call Koch Eye Associates at 401-738-4800.
-- 
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar at nutritionucanlivewith.com >
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