Stop Diabetes from Stealing Your Sight: Vision-Saving Strategies for Diabetics

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Posted by: Missouri Eye Institute in Blog on November 11, 2024

Diabetes doesn’t just affect your blood sugar levels—it can also have a serious impact on your eyes. As we recognize Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month, it’s crucial to understand how diabetes can silently damage your vision and what steps you can take to protect it.

If you’re living with diabetes or know someone who is, there are key ways to prevent diabetic eye disease and protect your eyesight. Want to safeguard your sight? Let’s dive into the details.

What is diabetic eye disease?

Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems that can affect people with diabetes. The most common condition is diabetic retinopathy, which happens when high blood sugar damages the blood vessels in your retina—the light-sensitive part of your eye. Other issues include diabetic macular edema, glaucoma and cataracts, all of which can lead to vision loss or even blindness if left untreated.

These conditions develop gradually, often without symptoms in the early stages. That’s why regular eye exams are so important for catching them early and preventing long-term damage.

How diabetes harms your vision.

Think of your eyes as delicate windows that let you see the world. Diabetes, unfortunately, can throw pebbles at that window. Over time, high blood sugar can damage tiny blood vessels in the retina, causing them to leak, swell or close altogether. When this happens, your vision starts to blur, dark spots may appear, and if the damage continues, blindness can occur.

The tricky part? You might not notice the damage until it’s already advanced—and possibly irreversible. That’s why understanding the risk is critical.

Control your blood sugar to protect your vision.

Good news: You have the power to protect your vision. One of the best ways to reduce your risk of diabetic eye disease is by managing your blood sugar levels. When blood sugar is consistently high, it damages blood vessels, but keeping it in a healthy range can slow down or prevent these problems.

It’s not just about sugar, though. Managing your blood pressure and cholesterol levels is equally important for keeping your eyes in top shape. By maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly and following your doctor’s treatment plan, you’ll be doing your eyes—and the rest of your body—a favor.

Make lifestyle changes to preserve your eyesight.

Preventing vision loss goes beyond just controlling blood sugar. Simple lifestyle changes can have a big impact on your overall eye health. Here are a few tips:

Quit smoking. Smoking doubles the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Kicking the habit will help your eyes and your overall health.

Eat eye-healthy foods. Load up on leafy greens, fish rich in omega-3s and antioxidant-packed fruits and veggies. These can help protect your vision.

Get moving. Physical activity helps regulate blood sugar, which, in turn, reduces your risk of eye complications.

These small changes can help you protect your vision and improve your health overall. You can work with your primary care doctor on ways to achieve these health goals.

Don’t forget regular eye exams.

Here’s something that can’t be stressed enough: You must schedule regular eye exams. Even if you’re feeling fine and your vision seems normal, eye diseases linked to diabetes can be sneaky. Early detection is key to preventing long-term damage, and an eye doctor can spot invisible warning signs before they’re obvious to you.

At Missouri Eye Institute, our experienced doctors offer comprehensive eye exams to catch diabetic eye issues early. (For anyone considering LASIK in Missouri, know that healthy eyes are a prerequisite for such procedures, so regular checkups are essential.)

Talk to Missouri Eye Institute today.

Diabetic eye disease is preventable, but it requires vigilance. If you’re living with diabetes, don’t wait until symptoms appear. Take control of your eye health by scheduling an eye exam at Missouri Eye Institute. Let’s keep diabetes from stealing your sight—reach out to our team today.

Missouri Eye Institute has helped thousands of patients attain freedom from glasses and contact lenses, with convenient locations in Springfield, Joplin and Branson. Contact us at (800) 383-3831 to schedule a thorough consultation or visit MissouriEye.com to learn more about our services.