Ignore your high blood sugar too long and it could affect your eyesight. Men with type 1 or type 2 diabetes can develop eye conditions if the blood sugar is not controlled. One of the diseases to be on the alert for is diabetic retinopathy. Why? This eye disease can rob you of your vision and lead to blindness.
The National Eye Institute predicts: “From 2010 to 2050, the number of Americans with diabetic retinopathy is expected to nearly double, from 7.7 million to 14.6 million. Hispanic Americans are expected to see the greatest increase in cases, rising more than three-fold from 1.2 million to 5.3 million.”
Symptoms
Diabetic retinopathy affects the blood vessels of your retina. Left untreated, the damaged blood vessels in your retina begin to bleed. Fluids start to collect in your retina. At first, you may not realize you even have symptoms, until blurriness, spots, and streaks in your field of vision happen. You may notice your long-distance vision is hampered. One of the worst consequences is the scarring of the eye.
Retinopathy Prevention
- Ophthalmologists can treat a disease of the retina. See your doctor at least once a year for eye dilation.
- Control your diabetes numbers. Take your medications or insulin and keep your glucose level at 140mg/dL.
- Exercise by walking, swimming, or biking.
- Eat healthy meals.
- Manage other conditions like high blood pressure.
- Cut down other risk factors like smoking and alcohol use.
Retinopathy Treatments
Fortunately, there are treatments for diabetic retinopathy, some of which can be done at the doctor’s office. Laser repair to the retina with a procedure called laser photocoagulation is an option. An injection of corticosteroids into the eye is another. If the retina detaches, surgery can be completed to repair the retina.
Be proactive. See your ophthalmologist today.
