5 Steps to Prevent Diabetic Eye Disease

Diabetes is a chronic health condition related to how your body processes the food you eat, but it also raises your risk for developing a host of other conditions. For example, if you have diabetes, you’re more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, nerve damage called peripheral neuropathy, and an eye disease called diabetic retinopathy. 

At Cataract and Vision Center of Hawaii, our providers are pleased to serve as part of the care team for patients with diabetes. We want to help you prevent eye problems before they cause damage. One of the most important ways to do that is by having regularly scheduled diabetic eye exams. 

 Along with regular eye exams, you can take other steps to protect your vision. Here are five things you can do. 

1. Manage your diabetes

The most important way to limit the impact of having diabetes is to manage it as well as you can. See your doctor regularly and follow their instructions. If you’re having problems getting to your appointments, taking your medications, or anything else that makes it difficult to manage your condition, talk to your doctor about it. 

Some health systems offer assistance or programs to help you manage your diabetes that you may not be aware of. Exploring those options can help you manage your condition and limit your risk of developing other problems, like eye disease. 

2. Quit smoking

You know that smoking is bad for your health. You may have even tried to quit in the past. But, when you have diabetes, quitting is absolutely the best way to protect your vision. 

Smoking narrows your blood vessels, and the excess sugar in your blood when you have diabetes also damages your blood vessels. The delicate vessels in your eyes are especially vulnerable. 

If you’re afraid you can’t quit, get help. Community programs, counselling, free resources, and even medications are all available to help. 

3. Control your blood pressure and cholesterol

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, means that your blood can’t pass freely through your blood vessels. That could be because they are clogged with plaque, (often because you have high cholesterol) or because they’re damaged from smoking or diabetes. 

However, you can help lower your blood pressure to healthy levels. You may need medication, or to make some lifestyle changes. Keeping your blood pressure and your cholesterol in check is crucial to preserving your eye health. 

4. Mind your nutrition

Nutrition is the foundation of good health. It’s a critical part of managing diabetes, and it’s also important for keeping your eyes healthy. 

Talk to your doctor about what good nutrition means for you. In general, eating more vegetables, getting protein from lean sources like fish or legumes, and limiting saturated fats, sweets, and highly processed foods leads to a healthy diet. 

5. Exercise

Exercise offers multiple benefits, such as: 

• Lowering your blood sugar
• Helping to maintain a healthy weight
• Reducing stress
• Improving the overall health of your blood vessels

Making time to exercise benefits your body in so many different ways, including helping you avoid eye disease! Whether you choose to play a sport, take a walk every evening, participate in a fitness class, or do some other physical activity that you enjoy, exercise is good for your eyes — and the rest of your body. 

Schedule now

If you have diabetes and you haven’t scheduled your regular eye exam, we invite you to make an appointment at Cataract and Vision Center of Hawaii. We’re always happy to answer your questions and help you take care of your eyes.