Diabetes can affect your eyes: Here’s how to prevent the damage

Diabetes is a very common problem. Not only do people struggle with this disease, they also have to deal with the multiple side effects it can have on one’s body. One such side effect is blurred vision. Let’s see how diabetes can affect your eyes.

Health Shots turned to Prof. Dr. Mahipal Singh Sachdev, Ophthalmologist and Medical Director at the Center for Sight, to speak about it. He says: “Diabetes is emerging as one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide because the longer a person lives with diabetes, the more vulnerable they become to diabetic complications affecting their eyes, kidneys and nerves, and other organs.”

Diabetes is a complex metabolic disease in which the pancreas does not produce enough or enough insulin, which can affect the eye, including the retina, vitreous humor, lens and optic nerve.

Can Diabetes Cause Blurred Vision?

As a diabetic, have you ever seen blurry or blurry vision, especially when your blood sugar levels are high? Well, it’s not a sign that you’re feeling weak.

dr Sachdev explains that this happens because “in patients with diabetes, the small blood vessels in the retina become weak, causing them to leak, swell, or develop brush-like branches. This deterioration causes the retinal blood vessels to fail to supply the retina with enough oxygen and nutrients, ultimately leading to blurred vision. Worsening of this condition can cause a person to experience blurring of vision, blind spots, floaters, or even sudden vision loss.”

Eye Diseases That Can Be Caused By Diabetes?

Diabetes patients are prone to developing the following eye diseases. “All of these conditions can lead to vision loss, but early detection and treatment can greatly improve your chances of keeping your vision,” says Dr. property dev.

* Diabetic retinopathy
* Macular edema (typically associated with diabetic retinopathy)
* Cataract
* Glaucoma

What can a diabetic patient do to prevent eye problems?

1. Maintain a healthy lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle is considered the answer to any ailment, especially when it comes to diabetes. “To prevent diabetic retinopathy, you need to adopt a healthy lifestyle by controlling your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels,” says Dr. property dev.

2. Quit smoking or drinking

Studies have shown that three modifiable behaviors — smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity — were associated with changes in vision. dr Sachdev suggests that cutting out bad habits like smoking and drinking while maintaining a healthy level of fitness could go a long way in preventing diabetic retinopathy.

3. Protection from the sun

Wearing sunglasses can protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. dr Sachdev says cataract development can be accelerated by exposure to these rays. So always wear sunglasses when going out in the sun, and sometimes you can use mild eye drops to get rid of the dirt too.

4. Get regular eye exams

“A diabetic should have regular eye exams within six months or three months, depending on blood sugar levels,” suggests Dr. Sachdev before. Early detection of diabetes complications related to the eyes can prevent vision damage.