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How can Diabetes Hurt Your Eyes

Too much glucose (sugar) in the blood for a long time can cause diabetes problems. This high blood sugar can damage many parts of the body, such as the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and the eyes. We will feature some tips on how to maintain your eye health. First, let us understand how diabetes can hurt the eyes. High blood glucose and high blood pressure from diabetes can affect your eyes.

Diabetes can affect the eye in a number of ways. The most serious eye condition associated with diabetes involves the retina, and more specifically, the network of blood vessels lying within it.The name of this condition is diabetic retinopathy.

How can one suspect that this problem is imminent? The following signs may be experienced.

  • blurring or having double vision
  • rings, flashing lights, or blank spots
  • dark or floating spots
  • pain or pressure in one or both eyes

In the case of diabetes retina problem, as the condition gets worse, new blood vessels grow. These new blood vessels are weak. They break easily and leak blood into the vitreous of the eye. This leaking blood prevents light from reaching the retina. How do you know that this is happening? You may see floating spots or almost total darkness. Sometimes, the blood will clear out by itself. In some cases, you may need surgery to remove it.

Over the years, the swollen and weak blood vessels can form scar tissue and can pull the retina away from the back of the eye. If the retina becomes detached, you may see floating spots or flashing lights.You may feel as if a curtain has been pulled over part of what you are looking at. A detached retina can cause loss of sight or blindness if you do not take care of it right away.

Keep your eyes healthy! Remember these tips:
1. Keep your blood glucose as normal as possible. Follow your dietary prescription/advice.
2. Consult an eye doctor once a year even if you think your vision is well. Finding an eye prob m early and getting the re wired treatment is better t an having a serious eye problem later on.
3. If you are pregnant, see an eye doctor during the first trimester.
4. If you are planning to get pregnant, ask your OB-Gyne if you need to see an eye doctor.
5. Most importantly, do not smoke!

You can do a lot to slow down diabetes problems that may affect the eyes or any part of the body by following this health plan:
1. Be active for at least 30 minutes most days. Consult you doctor on what activities are best for you.
2. To keep your blood glucose at a healthy level, eat about the same amount of food each day, eat at about the same time each day, and adhere to your daily caloric requirement. Limit the amounts of fats and sweets you eat each day. If you still do not have a diet plan, see your doctor and Nutritionist-Dietitian.
3. Take your diabetes medicines at the same time each day.
4. Check your blood glucose everyday. Each time you check your blood glucose, record your reading in your diary.
5. Check your feet for cuts, blisters, sores (particularly in toenails), swelling, or redness.
6. Brush and floss your teeth and clean your gums every day.
7. Do not smoke.

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