Eye Care for People with Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition caused by excess blood sugar. Diabetes mellitus, or commonly known as Diabetes is caused when a hormone called insulin, is not produced in adequate quantity. Insulin helps in transferring the blood sugar to the cells and maintain their functioning. In the case of Diabetes, this blood sugar is not able to reach the cells properly and results in degradation of the organs. This high amount of sugar causes severe damage to our blood vessels. Our delicate eyes have numerous blood vessels for proper blood and nutrient supply to the eyes. Due to an excess of blood sugar, the tiny blood vessels around the eyes get blocked and result in damaging the eye.

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Tips for Eye Care for People with Diabetes

To take care of your eyes when you or your loved one has Diabetes, here are some of the recommended tips.

1. Get Your Eyes Checked Regularly: As the eyes respond to the excess blood sugar by growing in size. This affects the vision. So go to an ophthalmologist and get your eyes checked regularly. The doctor can check for possible signs of damage before your vision gets affected.

2. Monitor Your Blood Sugar: Keeping the sugar content in your diet helps in lowering the blood sugar. As insulin is not produced in an adequate quantity in Diabetes, you have to monitor the amount of sugar intake. This would keep a check on excess accumulation of sugar in the blood and helps in preventing damage to the blood vessels around your eye.

3. Maintain Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Level: High cholesterol and high blood pressure worsen the risk for eye disease in Diabetes. High blood pressure will put extra pressure on blood vessels. This affects the eyes severely and might result in loss of vision.

4. Avoid Smoking: People with Diabetes should quit smoking. Smoking causes diabetic retinopathy, i.e. tobacco damages the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue present at the back of the eye.

5. Physical Activity: Try to have some physical activities regularly. Light exercises would curb excess pressure exerted on the blood vessels and also keep a check on high cholesterol levels.

6. Protect Your Eyes: Whenever you go out in the sun, wear a pair of sunglasses. This would protect our eyes from harmful UV rays. UV rays increase the risk for various eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, etc.

7. Have a Proper Diet: Apart from medications, you should take care of your diet. A balanced diet is important to keep your eyesight intact. Eat food that is rich in Vit A, C, and E, beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc. These foods help in protecting our eyes from various eye diseases.

8. Get a Health Insurance: Health insurance is necessary for all but it becomes mandatory for people with high risk of diabetes and issues of eye should be covered in it.

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Conclusion

Diabetes is a chronic illness. We can keep a check on it and take proper care of our lifestyle. Diabetes affects our eyes to a greater extent. To protect your eyes from damage leading to poor or loss of vision, you must practice these habits regularly.

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Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.