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Diabetic Eye Care

High blood sugar, the hallmark of diabetes, can affect many parts of the body, including the eyes. Over time, chronic hyperglycemia can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina, leading to diabetic retinopathy. People with diabetes are also at higher risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma.

While it’s true that the primary symptom of diabetes is high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), it can lead to many other problems throughout the body, including wreaking havoc on your eyes. Some of the most common eye conditions caused by hyperglycemia are cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, which occurs when the tiny blood vessels in your eyes become damaged by the high blood sugar levels over time.

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Managing Diabetic Vision

Eye Care Tips for Diabetics

If diabetes is well-managed, these secondary conditions can often be avoided altogether. Below are some helpful tips to help care for your eyes when you have diabetes:

Keep blood sugar under control by maintaining a healthy diet low in sugar and refined carbohydrates and high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein
Keep cholesterol in check by eating a heart-healthy diet low in saturated fats
See your optometrist at least once each year so that any developing eye conditions can be caught early and treated
Have your A1c checked every few months, if possible, and try to keep it at or below 7%
High blood pressure (hypertension) is also prevalent amongst those with diabetes and should be kept below 130/80 to prevent additional problems with your vision caused by damaged blood vessels

Stay Aware of changes in your vision

It is important to be aware of any changes to your vision. Contact your optometrist right away if you notice any of the following: