A diabetes diagnosis requires a complete transformation in terms of how you care for yourself. Did you know that this change also involves your eye health? Since this medical condition causes an imbalance in glucose, or blood sugar, control, it has the potential to cause damage to nearly every system within the body, including the eyes. For this reason, special attention is recommended.
Maintain an Exam Schedule
Routine eye exams are important for addressing vision concerns and overall health. However, for people with diabetes, they are an integral part of disease prevention or an early disease diagnosis.
Glucose is one of the body's fuel systems. When blood sugar levels are either too high or too low, it can cause inflammation throughout the body, poor system function, and a host of other issues that can lead to diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. While every eye disease is not curable, they are all treatable, and the earlier a health care professional can spot an issue, the less likely you are to experience long-term concerns, such as blindness.
Regulate Blood Sugar
For good eye health, it is essential to regulate your blood sugar. If you have received this diagnosis, you have likely been prescribed a medication to assist. However, you can take your efforts a step further by also making changes to your diet.
Aim to replace refined carbs and sugars with foods like unsweetened nuts, leafy greens, and carrots. These foods help prevent blood sugar spikes, which helps to keep your glucose levels stable, but they can also protect your eye health by lowering your risk for macular degeneration and cataracts and improving your vision.
Know the Warning Signs
One thing about the human body is that it usually provides cues when there is an issue. As someone with diabetes, it is always good to be able to recognize the warning signs your eyes can signal when your glucose level is unstable.
For example, when the blood sugar level increases, it can cause the eye lens to increase in size. As a result of this swelling, your vision can become blurred. If you notice any unusual symptoms with your eyes, always address them with a healthcare professional to make sure your body is not trying to alert you that something is wrong.
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, be sure to relay this information to your eye health professional so that they can ensure you receive the care you need. To learn more, contact a clinic like Northwest Ophthalmology.
Share6 July 2021
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