How Can Diabetic Eye Disease Be Prevented or Controlled?

As we have been discussing in our previous posts, anyone with diabetes is at risk for diabetic eye disease and diabetic retinopathy. These are serious conditions that can rob eyesight and lead to permanent vision loss. An ophthalmologist who specializes in diabetic eye disease can examine eyes for signs of diabetic retinopathy and monitor and treat diabetic retinopathy once it is present. But is there anything that can be done to prevent diabetic eye disease / diabetic or control its progression? ​
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The good news is yes. The following is a list of ways in which you can prevent and control diabetic eye disease and diabetic retinopathy:

1. Manage diabetes: Well-controlled diabetes will reduce your risk of developing diabetic eye disease and diabetic retinopathy. Understand your condition, and work closely with your doctors to manage your diabetes. In addition to this being better for your overall health, it will be better for your eyes as well.
2. Monitor and control blood sugar: High blood sugar can lead to both temporary and permanent changes in your eyes. Keeping your blood sugar under control and in a good range will help prevent these changes.
3. Check hemoglobin A1C: Hemoglobin A1C indicates your average blood sugar levels over the past two or three months. This will tell you if you have generally been managing your blood sugar levels well.
4. Monitor and control blood pressure: High blood pressure increases risk of diabetic eye disease and diabetic retinopathy, as well as damage to the eyes from diabetes. Controlling blood pressure helps your eyes, as well as your overall health. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, “Target blood pressure for most people with diabetes is less than 130/80 mmHg.”
5. Monitor and control cholesterol and triglycerides: High blood lipid (fat) levels increases risk of diabetic eye disease and diabetic retinopathy, as well as damage to the eyes from diabetes. Here too, controlling cholesterol and triglycerides helps your eyes, as well as your overall health.
6. Quit smoking and use of tobacco: Smoking and tobacco use increases your risk of developing diabetic eye disease and diabetic retinopathy. Quitting will help to not only minimize your risk, but also improve your overall health.
7. Eat well: Eating well is good for your eyes and overall health. It will also help other risk factors, such as your blood sugar levels, blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides. If you want healthy eyes, eat healthy.
8. Exercise: Regular exercise is good for your eyes, your diabetes, and your overall health.
9. Control weight: Excess weight and obesity can put your eyes and your overall health at risk. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight are important to your eye health, diabetes, and overall health.
10. Pay attention to vision changes: Any change in vision can signify development or progression of diabetic eye disease and diabetic retinopathy. They may also warn you of an eye emergency. Any changes in your vision should be taken seriously.
11. See your ophthalmologist immediately if you experience any vision changes: Call your ophthalmologist immediately if you notice any changes in your vision. This could lead to early detection and treatment, which may preserve your vision and prevent permanent vision loss.
12. Get regular eye exams: Diabetic eye disease and diabetic retinopathy may develop undetected, with no symptoms or warnings. Your ophthalmologist who specializes in diabetic eye disease can detect signs of changes in your eyes before you notice them and before they start to affect your vision. Be sure you have a complete eye exam annually after you are diagnosed with diabetes. 
13. Comply with diabetes, diabetic eye disease, and diabetic retinopathy treatment plans: Understand and follow the treatment plans that your primary care physician and your ophthalmologist create for you. If you have questions about your treatment plan, set up an appointment to get the answers you need. Staying on track with your treatments will not only protect your overall health, they will protect your eyes and vision as well.  
14. See your ophthalmologist if you have diabetes and become pregnant: If you have diabetes and become pregnant, be sure to visit your ophthalmologist. Your eyes are already at risk from diabetes, and pregnancy causes further changes in your eyes. Your ophthalmologist will monitor you during your pregnancy and treat you accordingly to protect your eyes and your long-term vision.

 
It is important to note that these ways to protect your eyes from diabetes and diabetic eye disease should be looked at in combination. One of these alone will not prevent or control progression of diabetic eye disease and diabetic retinopathy, but together, they might.
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​If you have any questions about ways to prevent and control diabetic eye disease and diabetic retinopathy or you are due for an eye exam or appointment, please call our office at 508-746-8600 to schedule an appointment with one of our ophthalmologists who specializes in diabetic eye disease:

• Eddie F. Kadrmas, MD, PhD
• Lawrence I. Rand, MD

 
This wraps up our discussion of diabetic eye disease. For more information, please call us at 508-746-8600 or visit the following links:

• Diabetic Eye Disease (Kadrmas Eye Care New England)
• Diabetic Retinopathy (American Academy of Ophthalmology)
• Top Five Steps to Help Prevent Diabetic Eye Disease (American Academy of Ophthalmology)
• Facts About Diabetic Eye Disease (National Eye Institute)

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