Mary Tyler Moore was a beloved actress who starred in The Dick Van Dyke Show and her own show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show among many other entertainment endeavors. She and her then husband, Grant Tinker formed the MTM production company which launched her own show. The show won 29 Emmy awards, 4 of which went to Mary Tyler Moore. She also won a Tony Award and she was nominated for an Academy Award in her lifetime.
As successful and busy as she was, Mary Tyler Moore lived with diabetes since she was 33 years old. The worst part of diabetes for Mary Tyler Moore was diabetic retinal disease because it affected her vision. Diabetic Retinal Disease involves diabetes-related changes in the retina. The retina is the layer of cells lining the back wall inside the eye. This layer senses light and sends signals to the brain so you can see.
Early on you might not have any symptoms with Diabetic Retinal Disease. But as the disease gets worse, you may have blurred vision, fluctuating vision, floaters, impaired color vision and finally complete vision loss if it is left untreated. Yearly eye exams or screenings are crucial because not everyone experiences symptoms.
Mary Tyler Moore was open about her diabetes and she wanted to help others. Her celebrity was an important part of getting the word out and eliminating any stigma associated with diabetes.
Today, the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative is part of Mary’s legacy and provides invaluable resources for those with diabetes. To find out more visit: