5 Steps to Prevent Diabetic Eye Disease
Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye problems is a complication associated with people with diabetes. All these diseases can result in severe vision loss or blindness. Diabetic eye diseases include diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma. While these diseases can occur in people without diabetes, the risk factor is much larger for those who are diabetic.
1. Visit your ophthalmologist at least once a year:
Diabetic retinopathy, cataract and glaucoma can all result in vision loss as well as blindness. However vision loss can be prevented. In the early stages diabetic eye disease has little to no symptoms, making it important that you visit your eye doctor at least once a year. Receiving a comprehensive dilated eye exam allows you ophthalmologist to examine your retina and optic nerve more closely. They can see damage before you begin to notice, allowing you to start treatment right away in order to prevent vision loss.
2.Control Your Blood Sugar:
When your blood sugar is too high, it can alter the shape of your eye’s lens resulting in blurry vision which restores to normal after your blood sugar stabilizes, however prolonged high blood sugar can cause damage to the blood vessels in your eyes resulting in vision loss. Maintaining a balanced healthy diet while monitoring your blood sugar frequently can help to prevent diabetic eye disease.
3.Maintaining Healthy Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels:
High blood pressure can lead to damage of the blood vessels in the retina, resulting in vision loss. The higher your blood pressure is and the longer it has been that high the more severe damage can be. High cholesterol can also cause damage to the blood vessels resulting in vision loss!
4. Quit Smoking:
Smoking increases your chance of acquiring many different diseases including diabetic eye diseases, making quitting the most beneficial thing you can do for your body as a whole. Smoking increases your chance for cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Quitting can help to decrease your chance of diabetic eye disease.
5:Exercise:
Exercise is good for your body, including your eyes. It can also help to control your diabetes. Regular exercise can help to keep your diabetes under control and help to preserve your vision.
