It is essential that you take steps to protect your eyes if you are dealing with diabetes. Failure to do so could leave you with some debilitating eye conditions or completely blind. This is because elevated levels of blood sugar can be damaging to the blood vessels in your eyes. Additionally, individuals who have high levels of blood sugar are more prone to things like glaucoma and cataracts. As such, proper diabetic eye care is crucial for your overall wellbeing.
An important part of caring for your eyes with cataracts is scheduling regular visits to our office. You should visit our office at least once or twice every single year. This will allow our team to examine your pupils, and they will be able to detect early signs of blood vessel damage in your eyes.
Keep your diabetes and your blood sugar under control. Part of this includes regularly having an A1 C blood test. This test is designed to show you where your blood sugar levels have been over the past few months. Ideally, they should be under 7 percent.
In addition to keeping your sugar level in check, keep your blood pressure under control. Even if you do not have diabetes, just having high blood pressure can damage your eyes. High blood pressure combined with diabetes is a recipe for disaster. Every single time you visit a doctor, have them check your blood pressure. If you have diabetes, your blood pressure should be under 140/80.
Your cholesterol needs to be at acceptable levels. There are two types of cholesterol. There’s the bad LDL and the good HDL. If you have too much of the bad cholesterol, you are increasing your risk for blood vessel damage.
Another critical part of diabetic eye care is managing your diet. Avoid eating unnecessary sugars and drinking sugary beverages, such as sodas. Focus on healthy, clean eating.
If you are smoking and you have diabetes, you are literally asking for problems. Quit now. When you smoke, you affect your blood vessels, and this has a direct impact on your eyes. Everyone knows how difficult it is to stop smoking. Do not be afraid to ask for professional for help.
Finally, get up and move around. Exercise has a profound effect on your blood sugar levels. You will be surprised at how much better you feel as you work out. Of course, not every type of exercise is appropriate for individuals suffering from diabetes. However, your medical professional may be able to provide you with a workout routine that is right for you.
When you are diagnosed with diabetes, you have to make some lifestyle changes. However, these lifestyle changes are worth it, especially if it means that you can protect your eyes. To put it simply, proper diabetic eye care can improve your quality of life.
At Wichita Vision Institute, Dr. Patel is your go-to when it comes to all things eye care. We utilize the latest and greatest LASIK surgery and cataract surgery techniques, and we offer a variety of prevention and treatment options for diabetic retinopathy. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at our office in Wichita to learn more about how diabetic eye care can help you.