If you are diabetic, eye care is essential. As a diabetic, you are at risk for diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic macular edema. You can reduce your risk of these diseases with proper care. Your optometrist will help you maintain your eye health, but you need to do some work too.
Diabetic eye care consists of more than going to the optometrist although that is very important. Patients also need to care for their eyes at home. By changing some behaviors, diabetics can keep the eyes healthy. Find out how to reduce the risk of developing eye diseases. Incorporate each tip to maintain healthy eyes.
People with diabetes need dilated eye exams each year. The optometrist can look at the optic nerve and retina, checking for signs of diabetic eye disease. This allows the optometrist to catch eye diseases in the early stages before symptoms appear. Early treatment makes these diseases more manageable.
Controlling blood sugar is also a part of diabetic eye care. High blood sugar can cause damage to the eye’s blood vessels. Also, when the blood sugar spikes, the eyes’ lenses can change shape. This causes the vision to become blurry. Fortunately, the lenses do go back to the normal shape when the blood sugar lowers. However, the damage to the blood vessels is permanent.
Diabetes and high blood pressure often go hand in hand. High blood pressure is another risk factor for developing eye disease. People with diabetes need to shoot for blood pressure that is 140/90. Those who do not fall into the range need to inform the optometrist during the annual visit.
Exercise helps people control diabetes and protect the eyes. When people exercise regularly, their glycemic control improves. This reduces the risk of diabetic eye disease. People do not need expensive gym memberships to exercise. A 30-minute walk a day will do the trick. Those who are not in good enough shape to walk for a full 30 minutes can split it up and build the stamina up over time.
Sunglasses are critical for protecting the eyes. Eyes that are exposed to direct sunlight are at a greater risk for macular degeneration and cataracts. Since diabetics are already at an increased risk for these eye issues, sunglasses are necessary. People should wear sunglasses every time they go outside when the sun is up.
Diabetes puts you at an increased risk for developing eye diseases, but you can lower your risk by following these tips. Get a dilated eye exam from your optometrist every year. Keep your blood sugar under control and maintain healthy blood pressure. You also need to exercise several times a week. Finally, wear sunglasses when you are in direct sunlight to protect your eyes.
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