Damon Wayans Sr. Opens Up About His Diabetes Diagnosis — and the Eye Condition He Wants You to Know About

Comedy legend Damon Wayans Sr. is speaking out about a serious diabetes complication that disproportionately affects communities of color — and he says staying silent is simply not an option.

When In Living Color and My Wife and Kids star Damon Wayans Sr. was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2008 at the age of 47, it was no laughing matter — even for one of America's most beloved comedians. He was rushed to the hospital on the verge of a diabetic coma, with blood sugar levels at a dangerous 535. "When I got diagnosed with diabetes, I needed triage," Wayans told PEOPLE magazine. "I needed to take insulin. I had to change my diet and get into exercise."

Now 65, Wayans has not only learned to manage his condition — he's using his platform and his signature humor to potentially save lives.

Wayans Joins the 'All Eyes on DME' Campaign

The comedian and actor has stepped forward as the spokesperson for All Eyes on DME, a new public awareness campaign launched by leading biotechnology company Genentech (a member of the Roche Group) in partnership with diabetes advocacy organization diaTribe. The campaign's mission is to shed light on diabetic macular edema (DME), a serious and often overlooked eye complication of diabetes that can result in permanent vision loss.

The All Eyes on DME campaign uses what Wayans does best — humor — to break down stigma and encourage meaningful conversations about eye health in communities most at risk.

"Laughter is a powerful medicine," Wayans said in a statement announcing the campaign. "When we find humor in tough situations, it can be easier to engage in important conversations. As a Black man living with diabetes and a family history of related health conditions, I am very familiar with the hesitancy to open up about health."

What Is Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)?

DME is a condition in which diabetes damages blood vessels in the macula — the central part of the retina — causing them to leak fluid and swell, which can progressively erode vision. It currently affects approximately 750,000 people in the United States and is one of the leading causes of vision loss among people living with diabetes.

What makes DME particularly urgent is the inequality in who it affects. People of color are two to three times more likely to develop serious diabetes-related vision conditions compared to the general population. Despite this, the condition remains dramatically under-discussed in Black and brown communities.

The risk only compounds with time: as the number of years a person lives with diabetes increases, so does their risk of developing DME. With the number of Americans with diabetes projected to reach 55 million by 2030, experts warn that vision loss in at-risk communities represents a rapidly escalating public health crisis.

Yet a startling 60% of Americans living with diabetes skip or miss their recommended annual eye exams entirely — a statistic the All Eyes on DME campaign is working hard to change.

"Inaction Is Not an Option"

Wayans is candid about the fact that he didn't fully understand the link between diabetes and vision loss when he was first diagnosed. That's exactly why he says he felt compelled to get involved.

"I found out it affects Black and brown people two to three times more for vision loss, which is terrible," he told PEOPLE. "It's something that is not really discussed in those communities. It's nice to be able to maybe have a voice and lend it to something that's important."

He's particularly passionate about pushing back against the reluctance many in his community feel about seeking medical care. In an interview with Men's Journal, he put it plainly: "Inaction is not an option. You can fear the worst and the worst can happen, or you can fear the worst, go see what's happening, and then get some hope that there's a way to fix this, to reverse this, or to control it. But if you do nothing and you are developing it, guess what? It's going to get worse."

His advice to anyone living with diabetes is simple and direct: get your eyes checked — and do it now.

"It doesn't hurt to know, but it can hurt not to know. It can be life-threatening," he said.

Why Laughter Is Part of the Message

True to form, Wayans believes humor is one of the most powerful tools for reaching people who might otherwise tune out a health message. The All Eyes on DME campaign was deliberately built around that philosophy, using his comedy to lower defenses and open doors for real conversation.

"I think if you can laugh, it's not that bad," he said. "That is the beautiful thing about this country — we laugh at ourselves, and once we laugh at ourselves, then we can start going, 'maybe I should just go see a doctor.'"

Genentech echoed this approach in announcing the campaign. "By co-creating authentic content with the diabetes community, and using the strength of laughter to spark dialogue, our goal is to uplift people to take early action and work together with their care team to monitor their eye health," said Quita Highsmith, Vice President of Population Health at Genentech.

Where to Learn More

The All Eyes on DME campaign features firsthand stories from Wayans alongside other people living with diabetes, offering personal perspectives on managing the disease and protecting long-term vision. The campaign's dedicated website — AllEyesonDME.com — is a comprehensive resource hub where visitors can find:

• Information on DME symptoms, risk factors, and causes

• Tools to help patients and caregivers prepare for productive doctor conversations

• Real patient stories and perspectives on prioritizing vision health

  
  

If you or someone you love is living with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, Wayans' message is clear: don't wait. Schedule that eye exam, have the conversation with your doctor, and visit AllEyesonDME.com to arm yourself with the knowledge you need.

Damon Wayans Sr. is a paid spokesperson for Genentech on behalf of the All Eyes on DME campaign.

About Direct Diabetes

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