10 Ways to Protect Your Vision if You Have Diabetes | Diabetic Eye Disease Month

Unfortunately, having either type 1 or type 2 diabetes increases your risk of vision problems. Diabetic eye diseases include diabetic retinopathy and macular edema. Diabetes also increases your risk of glaucoma and cataracts. On the bright side, diabetes can be successfully managed.
 
Here are 10 steps you can take to protect your vision, including the following:

1. Become educated. Education is often the key to prevention. For example, it’s helpful to know what signs can signal potential vision problems. Flashes of light and blurry or black spots in your field of vision can be signs of a serious eye condition. If you understand what to watch for, you can identify issues quickly and see your ophthalmologist right away.
2. Have regular eye exams. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends people with diabetes have a yearly comprehensive dilated eye exam. In some cases, your ophthalmologist may recommend more frequent exams. Annual eye exams are essential to diagnose diabetic eye disease early, even before vision changes are noticeable. Early diagnosis means treatment can start before problems lead to permanent damage. Certain vision problems, such as diabetic retinopathy, often do not cause symptoms in the early stages of the disease. As a result, even if you do not have any changes, an annual eye exam is one of the most vital things you can do to protect your vision.
3. Control blood sugar. High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the eyes, which can lead to vision problems, including permanent vision loss. Maintaining good control of your blood sugar levels can reduce your chances of developing diabetic eye diseases. Follow your nutritional plan, take your medication as prescribed by your doctor, and have your A1C measured according to your doctor’s recommendation.
4. Monitor blood pressure. People with diabetes are more likely to have high blood pressure than those without the condition. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), about two out of three people with diabetes also have high blood pressure. Similar to high blood sugar levels, high blood pressure can also damage the blood vessels in the eyes and lead to vision loss. The combination of both conditions can be especially damaging to the eyes. Talk to your doctor about what your blood pressure should be and discuss treatments options if you have hypertension.
5. Exercise regularly and get good sleep. Exercise is one of the best ways to control your weight and manage blood pressure and sugar levels. Exercise can help improve blood flow and lower blood pressure and glucose levels. Plus, regular exercise is also good for your overall health. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. Also, aim to get a good night of sleep. According to a study sited by the ADA, “Too much or too little sleep may raise your blood glucose level and expand your waistline.” Exercising regularly and getting good sleep will most definitely help you manage your diabetes. 
6. Stop smoking. We all know smoking is bad for our health, but it can be especially damaging to people who have diabetes. Smoking may play a part in damaging the blood vessels in the eyes. Smoking can be a hard habit to break, but it’s worth the effort. If you smoke, don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare provider for help. Smoking cessations programs, which provide support and education can help. Treatment options including medication may also be effective for some people.
7. Wear sunglasses. Everyone should wear sunglasses when outdoors and exposed to the sun. Too much sun exposure can increase your risk of cataracts. As people with diabetes are already at an increased risk of cataracts, exposure to UV rays from the sun only compounds the risk.
8. Consider taking omega-3 fatty acid. As reported by the Cleveland Clinic, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, indicated that people with diabetes who regularly consumed omega-3 fatty acids had a 48 percent lower chance of developing diabetic retinopathy than those who did not. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether or not you should take omega-3 supplements. 
9. Learn to manage stress. Stress is often a part of everyday life for many of us. If you have diabetes, it can also add additional stress to your life. Too much stress is unhealthy for anyone, but if you have diabetes, stress can also affect your blood sugar levels. Developing ways to lower your stress level can help you control blood sugar. Consider participating in a diabetes education program that teaches stress reduction techniques.
10. Take an active role in your health. Taking an active role in your health helps you control your diabetes, not have it control you. For example, create a partnership and work with your medical team. Work together with healthcare providers, such as your registered dietitian, endocrinologist, and ophthalmologist to develop a comprehensive plan to manage blood sugar levels and protect your vision. Learn treatment options, and take an active role in your treatment plan.

 
Having diabetes can be challenging, but by taking control of your health and lifestyle, you can manage the condition and prevent complications, including vision problems. We are here to help you with this. Our ophthalmologists are experts in diabetic eye diseases. Please call our office at 508-746-8600 if you have any questions about diabetic eye health or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our ophthalmologists who specializes in diabetic eye disease:

• Eddie F. Kadrmas, MD, PhD

• Lawrence I. Rand, MD

 
We hope you have learned from our Diabetic Eye Disease Month posts. Please check back with us soon for our next and last post on “Type 1 Diabetes and Your Child’s Vision”.