More than 9.6 million diabetic Americans have diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease that occurs when high blood sugar damages the retina, or the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye. Diabetes increases the risk of developing other eye diseases, too, including cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic macular edema.
At Wide Eye Optometry in Encino, Santa Clarita, and Palmdale, California, Mary Demirjian, OD, and our expert team diagnose and treat diabetic eye disease. We also educate patients on preventive measures to avoid eye damage and vision loss. Here, we explore five steps you can take to prevent diabetic eye disease.
Diabetes is a group of chronic illnesses that cause high blood sugar. All the cells in our bodies need sugar to function, but abnormally high levels increase the risk of health problems, like eye disease. The good news is that about 90% of diabetes-related vision loss can be prevented.
Healthy lifestyle changes can keep your blood sugar within the optimal range — and in turn, keep your vision sharp as time goes by.
There are several easy ways to reduce your risk of diabetic eye disease. We recommend:
If you have diabetes, schedule an annual eye exam with Dr. Demirjian. Diabetic eye disease often develops slowly over months or years. Regular checkups can identify ocular changes early on, giving you a chance to slow disease progression and prevent vision loss.
Diabetes causes high blood sugar, but there’s plenty you can do to keep it from spiking. One of the best ways to do this is with blood glucose monitoring. For example, if you have type 1 diabetes, check your blood sugar at least four times daily — before meals and at bedtime.
If you have type 2 diabetes, you may be able to check less frequently, but you should avoid eating or drinking things that can cause sudden blood sugar increases, such as soda, candy, and other sweets. Maintaining your target blood sugar levels can prevent damage to the blood vessels and tissues in your eyes.
You know smoking is bad for your heart and lungs, but it also increases your risk of diabetic eye disease. How? Smoking damages the small blood vessels that feed the retina. This reduces circulation to your eyes and increases oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which can cause vision loss.
Diabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels that control your heart. It also increases your risk of heart problems, like high blood pressure (HBP) and high cholesterol. Both of these conditions can damage the small blood vessels in your eyes and affect your vision.
Exercise is another easy way to reduce your risk of diabetic eye disease. Scientists aren’t entirely sure why exercise is so beneficial, but the research speaks for itself. For example, a recent study found that people who exercised were less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration, an eye disease often exacerbated by diabetes.
Another study concluded that people who engaged in moderate exercise were less likely to develop glaucoma than those who lived a mainly sedentary lifestyle.
If you’re concerned about your risk of diabetic eye disease, we can offer expert guidance and develop a personalized treatment plan just for you. Call or click online to schedule a visit at your nearest Wide Eye Optometry office in Encino, Santa Clarita, or Palmdale, California, today.