Mike Ellis, 63, is a retired mechanical engineer from Denver. It was during a fishing trip that Mike first noticed a change in his vision.
Mike is an avid angler and fishing is something he has done countless times; but this time, after casting his line, he was unable to see the bait on the line on the water.
He said, “I thought then that my eyes were burned from being out in the sun too long.”
The following month, an eye exam revealed a disturbing fact: Mike had type 2 diabetes – the most common form of diabetes that has gone undiagnosed for years – and the disease had taken a toll on his vision, leaving him with diabetic retinopathy. Damage to the blood vessels in the back of the eye is the most common symptom of the disease.
Robert Rizza, a professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic, said, “Diabetes damages every blood vessel in the body, including those in the eyes, and similar damage can occur to the heart, head, and kidneys; but by taking care of yourself (controlling your blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure), you can reduce the risk of these damages occurring. ”
With the help of 3 basic tests, Mike has managed to control his diabetes.
The following tests will help people with diabetes:
Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test
This is a simple blood test done by getting a blood sample from your finger or arm. the HbA1c test should not be confused with daily home monitoring, which helps people with diabetes measure their blood glucose in the moment, and the HbA1c test, which gives you the average blood glucose level over the past 3 months.
Robert said that if you can keep your HbA1c in the 7% range or lower, the risk of complications in the eyes, kidneys, and nerves is much lower.
When Mike was first diagnosed, his HbA1c result was 7.2%. Mike followed his doctor’s healthy eating instructions and exercised heavily, exercising on his exercise bike for 30 minutes every night while watching TV. Afterwards, his HbA1c level was under 6%. After that, instead of testing his HbA1c every 3 months, as recommended for people with diabetes, Mike tested every 6 months.
“The doctor said to me, ‘I wish every patient would follow the guidelines like you do.'” Mike said.
Dilated eye exam
High blood sugar and high blood pressure can affect the tiny blood vessels in the eye, but if caught early, damage can be prevented. The best way to do this is to have an annual dilated eye exam: After using the drops, the pupil dilates for a short time and the eye doctor checks the inside of the eye for signs of leaking blood vessels. This is a painless test, but blurred vision may occur for a few hours afterward.
Mike was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy with macular edema. The disease causes blood vessels to leak, which in turn causes swelling and blurred vision. His condition was discovered so late that his ophthalmologist saw the retinal hemorrhage without dilating his pupils. Now, he has a dilation test every 3 months. He also gets a medication every 2 months that prevents blood leakage and will need to keep doing so, but it’s a small price to pay. Because his eye doctor told him that he would not regain his vision if his condition became severe.
Foot testing
Diabetes slows blood flow to the legs and feet, and can also lead to loss of sensation. This is why the American Diabetes Association believes that foot testing should be done annually.
The doctor will check the foot for redness, cracking, abscesses, or open wounds, will look for abnormalities (such as toes squeezing each other), and then will perform a monofilament exam. The patient will need to close their eyes and the doctor will simply press a nylon cloth onto various parts of the patient’s foot. If the patient cannot feel it, nerve damage may have developed. The doctor may also tap on the patient’s Achilles tendon to see if the nerve at the back of the ankle is in good condition. The foot automatically points downward to demonstrate good condition.
Don’t expect an annual test to save the foot from all the trouble; doctors recommend that patients be examined at home every day.
Wearing well-fitting shoes and more breathable socks can also be beneficial.