Healthy Habits for Diabetic Eye Health

Different forms of diabetes affect at least a third of the U.S. population, with about 34.2 million with full-blown diabetes. While many know that diabetes has something to do with body sugar, some do not know that it affects more than their metabolism.

It affects the health of the nerves and blood vessels in various body parts, including the eyes. It leads to severe conditions that can threaten your eyesight and cause permanent vision loss. 

What Eye Conditions Can Diabetes Cause? 

• Diabetic Retinopathy

A significant complication of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, which can impact vision quality or lead to complete vision loss. The condition results from high blood glucose levels in the bloodstream, leading to the blockage of retinal blood vessels. 

Once the blocked blood vessels leak blood and fluid into the vitreous humor, you can expect to experience blurry vision. When left untreated, this damage can cause retinal detachment, which can result in blindness. 
 

• Cataracts

Cataracts are a common age-related condition that anyone can get but are five times more likely to affect people with diabetes. Cataracts occur when protein deposits clump up and collect on the eye’s lens surface, leading to cloudy vision. High blood sugar from diabetes usually disrupts the metabolism of the eye’s lens, leading to the formation of cataracts. 
 

• Glaucoma

Unregulated blood sugar usually doubles the susceptibility of patients to develop glaucoma. The conditions that fall under this name usually damage the optic nerve and, when left untreated, lead to vision loss. These conditions are incurable, but you can manage them and prevent vision loss until old age. However, early detection is vital in managing risk and preserving vision. 

Healthy Habits for Diabetic Eye Health

• Regular Comprehensive Eye Exams

Many eye conditions that develop when you have diabetes usually do not show any symptoms in their development stage. During regular comprehensive eye exams, the eye doctor will usually perform a dilated eye exam to examine the health of your internal eye structures. They will also check your optic nerve for signs of damage and measure your intraocular eye pressure. 
 

• Blood Sugar Control

One of the leading causes of eye health is high blood sugar, which can impact the retina and the eyes lens. These are critical to vision; their damage can lead to poor vision or complete vision loss. 

High blood sugar can lead to poor vision when it changes the shape of your lens or causes retinal blood vessels to leak. These changes can be remediated by restoring healthy sugar levels; if untreated, these can lead to more severe outcomes.
 

• Exercise

Exercise is crucial in helping regulate your blood sugar, making them good for your eyes. It will help you maintain healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels, which are critical in eye health. Cholesterol and hypertension are dangerous because they damage your eye’s blood vessels and can cause vision loss. 
 

• Diet

Diet is a great way to manage your blood sugar, as many foods you eat usually impact your health. Diabetic eye health requires specific nutrients to nourish the eyes and mitigate damage from high blood sugar levels. Your eye doctor can recommend a healthy diet to follow and preserve your vision.

For more on healthy habits for diabetic eye health, visit Seymour Eye Clinic at our office in Seymour, Indiana. Call (812) 523-6100​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ to book an appointment today.