The major reason for vision loss in people under the 70s is diabetes. If you are a diabetic patient for longer, it can damage your eyes and even blindness. By controlling your diabetes, you can not only prevent eye diseases but also stop from getting chronic.
November is considered the month of American Diabetes. In this honor, the California Optometric Association helps Americans understand the significance of arranging annual and dilated comprehensive exams of your eyes to prevent and detect eye diseases that could result in severe vision problems.
Some of the Diabetic Eye Diseases are glaucoma, cataracts, microvascular cranial nerve palsies, diabetic macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy.
- Diabetic Macular Edema:
The macula is that part of your eye which helps you out seeing faces, driving and reading. As a result of diabetes, the macula is swollen. The condition is also referred to as diabetic macular edema. It may lead to partial or complete vision loss with time. People suffering from different signs of diabetic retinopathy are at a higher risk of developing this condition. - Diabetic Retinopathy:
At the backside of your eye, the retina is present that is a lining sensitive to light. It is progressively damaged in a condition of diabetic retinopathy. Abnormal blood vessels start growing on the retina surface. If hyperglycemia persists for longer, it could cause fluid accumulation in your eye lens, leading to the swelling of retinal tissue and blurred vision. - Microvascularcranial nerve palsies:
In this condition, your eyes' small blood vessels are affected that are responsible for the movement of eyes. You cannot move your eyes easily, causing droopy eyelids or double vision. - Neovascular glaucoma:
Glaucoma is a condition that mainly damages the optic nerve of your eye. Neovascular glaucoma is a rare type that could completely result in vision loss. It usually occurs when abnormal blood vessels start growing on the iris, due to which the eye pressure increases. It’s not easy to treat; that’s why diabetic patients need to examine their eyes regularly. - Cataracts:
Diabetic patients are also at a higher risk of developing a cataract, a condition that makes your eye lens cloudy. As a result of hyperglycemic, sugar starts depositing in your lenses and makes them cloudy.
Prevention of Diabetic Eye Disease:
Do examine your eyes once a year to prevent any kind of severe problem. Some of the risk factors are:
- Tendency of diabetes
- Smoking
- Hypertension
- Abnormal blood sugar levels
- Lack of workout
To lower the risk of diabetic eye disease, the California Optometric Association suggests some tips:
- Do workout regularly
- Avoid smoking and alcohol
- Control your blood pressure
- Follow medication as prescribed by your doctor
- Take a healthy diet including fresh vegetables and fruits
Conclusion:
Early prevention is the key to lowering the risk of severe diabetic eye diseases. All you need to do is to maintain your sugar levels. Be sure to examine your eyes by an ophthalmologist once a year. Your eyes are a blessing; do not let them harm by your ignorance.