A diabetic eye condition is a group of issues linked with diabetes. They comprise glaucoma, cataract, and retinopathy. The worst thing about these conditions is that they can lead to blindness or vision loss. Luckily, you may avoid vision loss if you detect the condition early, treat it instantly, and adhere to excellent follow-up care. Here are the best ways to avoid diabetic eye disease.
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Manage Blood Sugar Levels
Over an extended period, high blood sugar levels may damage the blood vessels that offer oxygen and other crucial nutrients to the nerves, retina, and other soft tissues found in the eyes. Usually, this starts during the prediabetic phase when the blood sugar level is higher than average and not extremely high to necessitate a diabetes diagnosis. Most sight-threatening diabetic eye conditions begin with the destruction of these tiny blood vessels. Therefore, counter the problem by maintaining the proper blood sugar levels through exercise, diet, and prescribed medications.
Get Annual Dilated Eye Exam
It is essential to see an ophthalmologist regularly if your eyes begin to show changes because of diabetes. Even if you don’t have signs of vision loss, you should consider having a diabetic eye exam once a year.. Diabetic eye conditions usually have minimal symptoms until the condition worsens or reaches the later stages. Thus, consider going for these exams as the ophthalmologist will detect simple symptoms that diabetes is risking your sight. The best thing about early detection is starting medication instantly to prevent diabetic eye disease from deteriorating.
Regulate Your Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Intake
High blood pressure and high cholesterol levels negatively impact the delicate blood vessels in your eyes. Fortunately, you can protect your eyes healthily by controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Say No to Alcohol
Curbing your alcohol intake can help prevent diabetic eye disease. Quitting it all together is the ideal way. However, you shouldn’t surpass the recommended alcohol limits if you find it hard to quit alcohol altogether. Studies show that men should not exceed two drinks a day, while women should limit alcohol consumption to one drink a day.
Quit Smoking
Smoking is not only bad for your eyes but also for your overall well-being. For instance, your chances of getting cataracts are high if you smoke. If you smoke, you have a high chance of getting diabetic retinopathy, and the situation may worsen if you continue smoking.
Include Regular Workouts
Adhere to a regular exercise program comprising at least two and a half hours of moderately intense physical workout weekly. Anything from cycling to walking works fine. As a beginner, you can aim to get at least 10,000 steps per day.
Get Help Early
You should not wait for the annual eye exam if you identify changes in your vision. This change may indicate a serious problem that necessitates instant medical care. For example, you might be having a retinal detachment if you are experiencing increased floaters in the visual field or seeing flashes of light. Another sign to look out for is the sensation of a curtain being pulled over the eyes.
Favor Fiber-based Foods
Fiber decelerates the release of glucose into your body. Taking food with plenty of soluble fiber is recommended to lower cholesterol levels. According to nutritionists, you should take at least 20 to 30 grams of fiber daily. Therefore, the ideal way to kickstart your morning is by taking an oat-based cereal or oatmeal. Other beneficial food sources include beans, lentils, whole grains, barley okra, eggplant, and fruits with pectin.
Eat a lot of Greens
Leafy and dark greens like romaine lettuce, collard, turnip greens, spinach, and kale have plenty of zeaxanthin and lutein nutrients. These nutrients come in handy in protecting retina cells. Also, they are rich in vitamin E, which helps prevent cataracts.
What to do if Diabetes Cause Damage to Your Eyes
If you already have a damaged eye due to diabetes, an ophthalmologist can undertake a couple of lasing procedures to lessen swelling and prevent the progression of the disease. Also, the medic can inject medications straight into the eye to help lower the swelling. If nothing seems to work correctly, doctors can do surgery to remove the scar tissue and clear out the blood that might be causing the retina to detach or swell.