If you have diabetes, you are at a higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, an eye complication that affects blood vessels in the retina and can cause vision loss and blindness. You are also prone to other harmful conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma which can be diagnosed with an eye exam. The good news is that you can follow essential steps in order to prevent your vision and reduce your chances of eye disease.
1. Get a comprehensive dilated eye examination.
Some diabetic eye diseases show no symptoms in their early stages. A dilated eye exam allows your ophthalmologist to carefully examine your retina and optic nerve for signs of damage. It will give you time to make decisions on how you will address your affected eyesight before you notice any drastic changes to your vision.
2. Control your blood sugar.
A trusted optometrist says that if your blood sugar level is too high, it can easily have an effect on the shape of your eye’s lens. This causes blurry vision, which only goes back to normal after your blood sugar level stabilizes. High blood sugar is also known to damage blood vessels in the eye. It is crucial to maintain good control of your blood sugar to help prevent these issues.
3. Exercise regularly and quit smoking.
Not only is exercise beneficial for your eyes, it is also good for your diabetes. Make sure that you exercise on a regular basis to keep your eyes in a healthy condition as much as possible. In addition, studies show that smoking increases the risk of several eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. It also makes managing your diabetes more difficult.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Opti Care is home to talented optometrists and trained opticians in Maryland. We go to great lengths to ensure that you are receiving the best quality of care for your concerns, from eye treatments to eyeglasses and contact lenses. Give us a call at (410) 795-8670 or fill out our contact form to set up an appointment. Our office is convenient to Marriottsville and Westminster, MD.