To maintain sharp vision, people with diabetes need to be very aware of their health to avoid diabetes-related problems.
Over time, high blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels in the eye and lead to diabetic retinopathy. High blood sugar can also lead to cataracts and glaucoma, and people with diabetes have an earlier onset of cataracts and glaucoma and a higher risk of developing them.
The following 7 tips can be used by people with diabetes to manage their condition and protect their eyes:
Visit your eye doctor at least once a year
See your eye doctor at least once a year to catch problems early and treat them. During an exam, your eye doctor will use special drops to dilate the pupil and check for early signs of damage to the blood vessels in the eye.
Control of blood sugar
Control of blood glucose can slow any damage to the tiny blood vessels in the eye, and glycated hemoglobin, which shows blood glucose levels over the past 2 to 3 months, should be performed several times a year and should come back at about 7% or lower.
Control of blood pressure
High blood pressure can also lead to eye disease, and people with high blood pressure and diabetes need to be more aware of their health and ask their doctor to check their blood pressure at every visit, which should be below 140/90 mmHg for most people with diabetes.
Checking cholesterol levels
A blood test is all that is needed to check for “bad” LDL and “good” HDL cholesterol levels, and high LDL cholesterol levels can lead to blood vessel damage.
Healthy diet
Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, and if this makes a big difference, consult a dietitian for advice and encouragement, or for those on insulin, consult your doctor about the timing of meals and the amount of food appropriate for your current insulin dose.
Smokers quit
Smoking causes problems with blood vessels and increases the risk of eye disease. Quitting is not easy, so don’t hesitate to ask your doctor for help, or join a support group or smoking cessation program.
Increase exercise
Exercise can have a big impact on blood glucose, and for those on insulin or medications to lower blood glucose, ask your doctor when to check your blood glucose levels before and during exercise, and also what type of exercise to choose.
Timing of the visit
People with diabetes who have any vision problems or notice changes in their vision should be seen.
Seek medical help as soon as possible if you experience any of the following symptoms.
- Blurred vision.
- Black spots.
- Flashing sensation.
- Loss of vision in one or both eyes.