Through early-detection of retinal diseases, diabetes, cataracts, and glaucoma, PROJECT VISION has the ability to dramatically reduce the rate of vision loss and health complications among high-risk populations. With diabetes rising exponentially in Hawaii, PROJECT VISION has an expressed mission to detect signs of diabetes early, which in turn, will significantly reduce the costs and devastation of this disease.

Fact and Statistics:

 · Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the state

 · It is estimated that approximately 100,000 people in Hawaii have diabetes; of which
   25 percent of the cases remain undiagnosed

 · 7.5 percent of Hawaii adults have been diagnosed with diabetes (2004), compared to
   3.1 percent in 1994

 · Native Hawaiians have the highest diabetes mortality rates when compared with the other
   major ethnic groups

 · Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults ages 20 to 74

 · Detecting and treating diabetic eye diseases with laser therapy can reduce the development
   of severe vision loss by an estimated 50 to 60 percent

 · Detecting and treating early diabetic kidney disease by lowering blood pressure can reduce
   the decline in kidney function by 30 to 70 percent

With the rate of diabetic cases growing at an alarming rate, many companies have expressed concern over rising insurance costs. The Hawaii Business Health Council has researched solutions to rising health care costs and has identified diabetes given its prevalence in Hawaii. Estimates put per capita expenditures at approximately $13,000 per diabetic versus $2,500 for a non-diabetic. Through early detection, this financial burden can easily be alleviated.