Protecting Your Vision from Diabetic Eye Disease

November is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness month, drawing focus on ways to help prevent diabetes-related vision loss. Anyone with type 1, type 2 or
gestational diabetes (diabetes that occurs with pregnancy) may be at increased risk of vision loss, so early diagnosis is the key to preserving optimal vision.

One catalyst for pushing awareness comes from the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s studies showing that Black, Hispanic and Native American populations are at increased risk due to receiving limited information about how diabetes can negatively affect eyesight. Diabetic people with inadequate information are twice as likely to develop diabetic retinopathy as those with sufficient data, making diabetes education especially important.

Knowing about these diseases and seeking regular comprehensive testing is paramount in protecting vision from the stealthy impact of diabetes. Just because you have diabetes, it doesn’t mean you must expect related vision loss. Proactive steps you take today can help ensure your vision remains clear and healthy for years to come.

Eye Diseases Caused or Affected by Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy – Diabetes can damage blood vessels within the retina, which can result in severe vision loss. Non-proliferative diabetic
retinopathy, or NPDR, is common among diabetics. With NPDR, retinal blood vessels swell within the macula, damaging central vision – which involves nearly everything we do – and distorting fine details, light and colors. NPDR usually produces no symptoms at first, which is why regular testing is crucial. Left unmanaged, NPDR can develop into proliferative diabetic retinopathy, or PDR, in which bleeding within the eye diminishes central and peripheral vision, sometimes leading to total blindness. Early diagnosis and treatment, especially before symptoms appear, can successfully manage diabetic retinopathy and prevent, reduce or delay further vision damage.

Macular Edema – Nearly half of all diabetic
retinopathy patients also experience diabetic macular edema, or DME, in which the macula swells or buckles, impairing central vision.

Glaucoma – Diabetes greatly increases the risk of glaucoma, specifically neovascular glaucoma, which can injure the optic nerve and cause permanent vision loss. Early in its course, glaucoma often has no symptoms and is discovered only via a comprehensive eye exam. During this test, your eye doctor can also catch ocular hypertension (high blood pressure in the eye). Discovering glaucoma before it produces symptoms can lead to proper management to help prevent vision loss.

Cataracts – People with diabetes tend to develop cataracts earlier than average. Cataracts can be easily discovered with a comprehensive eye exam.

Preventing Diabetic Eye Diseases
The following recommendations fall in line with general diabetic protocols. Take note of what you could do better for your health and quality of life and strive to make improvements. It may not be reasonable to expect to do everything perfectly overnight. If you have a few bad habits, it may take some time and effort to break free of them. That’s okay. Just try to do a little better each day until you reach your goals, and find healthy ways to reward yourself when you achieve them. That’s okay. Just try to do a little better each day until you reach your goals, and find healthy ways to reward yourself when you achieve them.

Check Your Numbers: Foremost, take steps to manage your blood sugar. While it can be a task, there are new technologies available that can make it easier, so ask your healthcare provider what’s new for you to try. Monitoring your blood sugar is so important in your care, not only to protect your vision, but all areas of your health. Also, know your blood pressure and cholesterol levels and do what’s needed to keep them within a healthy range.

Quit Sugar: Sugar is highly addictive, so don’t be hard on yourself if you have trouble quitting at first. This feeling won’t last forever, but it can take a few days to a couple of weeks to vanquish cravings. Some tips that may help include:
. Drink plenty of water, as dehydration can promote cravings.
. Eat plenty of protein to reduce hunger pangs and prevent low energy points.
. Avoid artificial sweeteners, which enhance the desire for sugar.
. Enjoy some low-sugar, fiber-rich fruit, such as green apples or raspberries.
. Get plenty of sleep so your body won’t seek the false “energy” of a sugar fix.
. Quit with a buddy so you can give each other support.
. Avoid situations or environments that may trigger sugar cravings.

Quit Smoking: Easy to say, but can be very hard to do. Even if you have tried before without success, don’t let that stop you. Many people have to try multiple times before they succeed. Ask your doctor for assistance, if needed. There are programs, guidance and medication designed to help reduce cravings. Once you quit, lung health can improve significantly in as little as a month! It’s never too late to begin a new, healthier chapter.

Move More: Physical activity goes a long way toward managing diabetes and protecting your health and vision. If you haven’t done anything physical in a while, start with reasonable goals. Walk, bike, hike, dance, swim – or, even better, mix it up – for 10-15 minutes a day, 4 times a week, then advance to 20-30 minutes over the next week or two. Work your way up to 30 minutes or more of activity a day, 5-7 times a week. With some commitment, exercise gets easier and more enjoyable. Gentle stretching before and after can help prevent injury.

Get an Annual Eye Exam: Eye diseases can be arrested or managed successfully when caught early, so commit to having a comprehensive dilated eye exam once a year, or more often if recommended by your eye doctor. If you have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, schedule an eye exam immediately.

If you notice changes in your vision, don’t wait – see your eye doctor as soon as possible.

Treatment/Management of Diabetic Eye Diseases
Diabetic retinopathy/DME: Treatment depends on your specific condition, but may include medication, corticosteroids and/or anti-VEGF (vascular
endothelial growth factor) injections. More serious cases may respond to macular laser surgery or, less commonly, vitrectomy.

Glaucoma: Most cases are successfully managed with prescription eye drops and/or oral medications. In more severe cases of open-angle glaucoma,
selective laser trabeculoplasty, or SLT, can lower eye pressure. Closed-angle glaucoma can be treated using laser iridotomy. Both are outpatient
procedures.

Cataracts: Early cataracts often require nothing more than a change in lens prescription for vision to be optimal. Cataracts that affect vision can be
surgically removed and crisp vision achieved with a corrective lens implant designed for your vision goals and lifestyle.

Make an Eye Appointment Today
Remember, with early treatment, nearly all cases of vision loss can be prevented. If you have diabetes and haven’t had a complete eye exam in a year or more, call Lake Eye today. Our experienced doctors are here to protect your healthy vision for life.

Lake Eye
352-775-1533 . LakeEye.com