University of Houston offers free diabetes screenings on Tuesday

“The eyes are the windows to the soul and in some ways they are the window in knowing a patient’s health,” said Dr. Danica Marrelli, a clinical professor at the University of Houston.

Your eyes could save your life. Diabetes is called the silent killer. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes can come on slowly and subtly. One out of every 11 Americans are diabetic and many of them don’t even know it.

“Diabetes is responsible for a lot of heart attacks and strokes as well as amputations and kidney disease,” Marrelli said. “And of course, where I’m concerned, eye disease.”

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in people between 20 and 75 years old.

“I can be doing just a routine comprehensive eye exam for somebody who thinks they need a new pair of glasses and look in the back of the eye and I see signs that make me think this patient has diabetes," said Marrelli.

When it comes to diabetes, knowledge is power. Early diagnosis eating healthy and exercise can decrease the odds of heart attacks and strokes.

“Hispanic people are more likely to have diabetes, African Americans are more likely to have diabetes, and also people who are obese or overweight,” Marrelli said.

On Tuesday from noon until 4 p.m. the University of Houston is offering free screenings for diabetes.

The free event offers glucose screenings, blood pressure, weight checks, diabetic retinal screenings and a private consultation with a doctor to review the findings.  

It will take place at the University of Houston Health and Biomedical Sciences Complex.