The incidence of diabetes is rising at a fast speed and it is a severe, lifelong disease that can only be managed with proper care and medications. You need to understand that diabetes and eyesight (diabetes can curse your sight) related issues are closely linked, which makes it important that you check your sugar levels and control them to keep your eyes healthy and have clear vision. People with diabetes are prone to severe damage to their blood vessels in the retina, known as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, etc. Diabetes is a very common condition nowadays, and it makes it essential for everyone to get a regular eye checkup. Diabetes also makes a person more prone to glaucoma, cataracts, and many other eye-related issues. Early detection and proper one-time treatment may prevent vision loss. If you seek the best eye care hospitals, visit Eye-Q, a super-specialty hospital, to get personalized eye care from expert doctors and understand how to prevent eye damage from diabetes.
How does diabetes cause vision loss?
People with diabetes must monitor their sugar levels, as uncontrolled diabetes damages the blood vessels of the retina. The retina is a part of the eye that converts light into electrical signals that make a person see. Damages to these lead to swelling of the macula, and diabetic eye damage leads to bleeding and scarring, high eye pressure, and retinal detachment. You need to get a regular eye test, especially if you are diabetic, to prevent any type of eye damage due to diabetes.
Ten steps on how to prevent eye damage from diabetes
Diabetic eye damage can occur and is a group of conditions that can develop if your sugar levels are uncontrolled. These eye conditions include glaucoma, cataracts (diabetes poses risks for cataract), diabetic retinopathy (connection between diabetes and retinopathy), etc.
Also Read: How Diabetes Affects Eyesight, How to improve eyesight naturally?
Prevention is better than cure, and the below-listed steps can help you prevent eye damage from diabetes that you must follow :
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Maintain glucose levels
The first and foremost thing you should keep in check is your glucose levels, which can lead to eye damage. These uncontrolled sugar levels can lead to eye damage due to diabetes; thus, you need to maintain and monitor your blood glucose levels regularly. Your main aim should be to keep the levels above 80 mg/dL with the help of lifestyle changes, diet, and medication.
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Monitor blood pressure levels.
You must also check your blood pressure levels, as hypertension can worsen symptoms of any type of eye damage from diabetes; thus, it is vital to check the pressure levels regularly. Uncontrolled BP damages delicate eye structures internally; thus, it is necessary to check your BP levels.
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Consume a nutrient-rich diet fully packed with antioxidants.
To prevent eye damage, it is necessary to eat nutrient-rich foods for eye health. Eating plenty of foods that contain antioxidants, like berries, dark leafy greens, colorful veggies, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds, will help you reduce inflammation in people with diabetes. People, especially diabetic people, must stop smoking and limit their alcohol consumption. These two factors increase the risk of developing eye conditions due to diabetes. Waiting and limiting these can help you reduce the risk of eye damage.
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Exercise routine
People with diabetes must exercise regularly, as active living may lower the risk of eye damage due to diabetes. Regular exercise help to reduce strain on eyes and helps to improve blood glucose levels and prevent obesity, which are said to be two vital factors that cause severe eye complications from diabetes. It is best to plan your day by adding regular walks and light cardio exercises.
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Wear eye protection to prevent trauma to the eyes.
Many activities might traumatize your eyes, like working around dangerous machinery, long-distance driving, or any sports activity that can impair vision. To prevent trauma, it is best to wear Piper eye protection during these activities. Protection helps avoid eye injury and ensures sunglasses are worn when exposed to UV rays. Also, wearing tinted glasses while using a digital screen is considered beneficial.
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Taking your diabetes medications on time
To prevent any kind of eye damage due to diabetes, you need to take your prescribed medications on time. If your doctor has prescribed insulin, take it on time as instructed to avoid any type of eye damage. These medications help to lower sugar levels and also prevent you from any complications from diabetes, including eye damage.
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Take regular eye checkups.
Many people ignore this, but you need to schedule a regular eye examination every year with an eye specialist. This will help you detect any sign of eye damage early. On time, early detection will help you manage it well and avoid complications like vision loss. Regular eye checkups once in a year will help you prevent or minimize eye damage.
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Avoid stress
Not only food but also enough sleep is important for your eyes to prevent any type of damage. Stress is among the main factors associated with diabetes, as high stress levels worsen your glucose levels and make it difficult to manage the condition. Lack of sleep affects negatively on overall health, including eye health, which increases the risk of many eye conditions.
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Maintain healthy weight
People need to maintain a healthy weight to stay active and fit. Carrying excess pounds is linked to diabetes and many other health conditions. These conditions can negatively impact eye health as well and make a person more prone to eye conditions directly or indirectly. With proper weight management, you can avoid any health condition, including diabetes, which makes you less prone to eye damage.
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Take a break
Everybody indulges in activities that can help them to grow, but many forget to take a break from all these activities. Taking a break is vital from regular stressful activities like urgent paperwork, crafts, etc. These breaks will help you rest your eyes and reduce strain on them, as this strain can damage your eyes in many ways because of internal swelling. Also, staying hydrated is a key to good health. You need to drink ample water daily to avoid dehydration; this dehydration affects your health and can make you more prone to develop blood vessel issues like your eyes.
Conclusion
Eye disease because of diabetes is not just one of these conditions but is a group of conditions that affect many people. These eye diseases due to diabetes do not have any early signs; thus, taking care of your eyes and getting yourself checked regularly is vital. Consulting the best eye specialist annually for an eye checkup and early diagnosis is the best way to prevent eye damage. This regular checkup is much more necessary for you if you are diabetic. Never underestimate the importance of managing blood sugar levels and regular eye checkups, as these can help you from any kind of permanent eye damage. Visit Eye Q, one of the best eye hospital in india with a global presence. It offers general eye care treatment to people with many eye conditions. The doctors also educate patients about maintaining and promoting a healthy vision for the future to avoid complications.
