Diabetes and Eye Care

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the United States. About 34 million Americans have diabetes. As the obesity rate increases, the number of new cases of diabetes is also increasing. Unfortunately, one in five Americans have undiagnosed diabetes and are not monitoring their blood sugar.

Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

Diabetes can cause many health problems, and having diabetes also puts you at risk for other diseases. Along with an increased risk for heart disease, stroke, hypertension, kidney disease and nervous system damage, diabetes increases your risk for eye diseases and even blindness.

High blood sugar causes the lens of the eye to swell, which changes your ability to see. Blurred vision can be a symptom of serious eye problems, and it is imperative to have blood sugar levels checked regularly.

Diabetic Eye Disease

Having diabetes can put your vision at risk. Three common diseases that can develop from untreated diabetes are cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

Control and Prevention

If you have diabetes, you are not doomed to develop diabetic eye disease. Although you are at risk, you can control your diabetes, so your vision is not compromised.

Visit your doctor regularly

Schedule regular doctor visits for blood sugar monitoring. Listen to your doctors’ recommendations and follow them.

Control your diet

Eating right is essential to prevent or control diabetes. Your diet needs to be high in nutrients, low in fat and moderate in calories.

Exercise regularly

Exercise can help you control your blood sugar, increase fitness and reduce your risk for heart disease and nerve damage.

Have regular comprehensive eye exams

Your eye doctor will test for diabetic eye diseases during your examinations. If you are prediabetic or diabetic, it is even more important to have regular follow-up visits to monitor your vision.