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Diabetes? Tips to Help Prevent Vision Loss from Diabetic Eye Disease

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Get help now to avoid vision damage

Diabetes puts you at an elevated risk for certain eye diseases, including glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy. Fortunately, there are ways to lower this risk and help keep your vision clear and healthy. Even if you’ve already been diagnosed with a diabetic eye disease, we can help you reverse the damage and promote healthy vision for the future.

If you have diabetes, following these tips from our Cedar Park eye care specialist will go far towards preserving the health of your eyes and eyesight!

Control your blood sugar levels

When blood sugars rise above the normal parameters (the general aim is to have an A1c at or below 7%, as recommended by your physician), they can affect the shape of your eye’s lens. This can lead to blurred vision, which will return to normal after your blood sugar returns to stable, normal levels. Additionally, high blood glucose can damage your tiny ocular blood vessels, which is a symptom of diabetic retinopathy and can cause vision loss.

Get a yearly comprehensive eye exam

Diabetic eye disease typically presents no symptoms during the early stages. Only a dilated eye exam can detect the signs of a problem on your retinal tissue or optic nerve. By getting an eye exam at our Cedar Park eye care center every year, our optometrist will be able to identify the start of diabetic retinopathy or another condition – and you’ll be able to get treatment as soon as possible, before any damage occurs.

Keep blood pressure and cholesterol at healthy numbers

Both high cholesterol and hypertension can increase your risk for diabetic eye disease. By eating nutritiously, exercising, and making healthy lifestyle choices, you can help keep cholesterol and blood pressure in check – helping your eyes and your general health. Veggies, leafy greens, and fruits all fortify your body with essential vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy vision.

Don’t smoke

Smoking puts you at a significantly higher risk for diabetic retinopathy and other ocular diseases related to diabetes. If smoking is a part of your lifestyle habits, quit as soon as possible to prevent vision loss.

Wear UV protection on your eyes

UV rays endanger the lasting health of your eyes and vision for everyone. If you have diabetes, it’s smart to be extra vigilant about protecting your eyes when you’re outdoors. Choose sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection.

Treat vision damage

If you have been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy and it has already progressed to the point that it threatens your vision, your eye doctor will likely discuss laser treatment with you. Laser procedures for retinopathy shine a beam of light into the back of your eye to burn or cauterize the leaky blood vessels. The procedure isn’t painful because the retina doesn’t have many nerve endings. Laser treatments are generally very effective at preventing further ocular damage and vision loss.

Don’t delay – book a diabetic eye exam today!

At our Cedar Park eye care office, we use advanced diagnostics to pick up on the signs of diabetic eye disease as soon as possible – so you can benefit from treatment as soon as possible! This is the most reliable way to prevent vision loss from diabetes.

At Lakeline Vision Source, we put your family's needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 512-918-3937 or book an appointment online to see one of our Cedar Park eye doctors.

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