Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of Americans. It can lead to complications such as vision problems, including retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. In this blog post, we’ll explore how diabetes impacts vision and what you can do to delay its onset.
Retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in adults with diabetes. This occurs when blood vessels leak or become blocked, leading to swelling and scarring in the retina—the layer of tissue at the back of the eye that detects light and sends signals to the brain for processing into images. Symptoms may include blurred vision, difficulty seeing colors accurately, or floaters in your field of vision. Glaucoma is a condition in which fluid builds up in the front part of your eye causing increased pressure on the optic nerve which can result in vision loss over time. Cataracts are cloudy areas that form on the lens of your eye due to changes in proteins caused by elevated blood sugar levels from diabetes – making it difficult to see clearly through these areas.
It’s important for people living with diabetes to take preventative measures like getting regular comprehensive dilated eye exams and monitoring their blood sugar closely. Additionally, eating a healthy diet low in fat and sugars, exercising regularly, quitting smoking if applicable, and taking any prescribed medications as directed can help reduce the risk of developing diabetic complications including vision loss. Wearing sunglasses outdoors helps protect against UV rays which can further damage eyesight affected by diabetes so be sure to wear them always!
Diabetes is a serious condition that increases one’s risk for developing certain eye diseases like retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts which can all lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated. However, there are steps you can take to delay its onset such as getting regular comprehensive dilated eye exams, eating a healthy diet low in fat and sugars, exercising regularly and taking prescribed medications as directed. Protecting your eyes from UV rays with sunglasses whenever outdoors also helps reduce further damage done by diabetes related-vision problems so make sure never forget them! With proper care and lifestyle modifications those living with diabetes can maintain healthy eyesight longer while reducing their risk for more serious consequences down the road.
At Lentz Eye Care, we care about every aspect of your health. By raising awareness about prediabetes and diabetes, we can encourage each other to promote healthy lifestyles that will help protect us and our loved ones from the damaging effects of this disease.