Diabetes and Your Eyes: Sings, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
Diabetes and Your Eyes: Sings, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
Diabetes and Your Eyes: Sings, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment:- Diabetes occurs when your body does not properly process food as energy. When you have diabetes, your body either does not respond to or does not produce insulin, which is a hormone that delivers glucose (blood sugar) to the cells in your body. Having too much glucose in the bloodstream, outside the cells where it belongs, can lead to damage of the blood vessels and nerves that run throughout your body, including to the eyes.
Diabetic Eye Disease
Diabetic eye disease refers to the group of eye conditions that can result from diabetes. These include:
Diabetic retinopathy. The leading cause of blindness in American adults, diabetic retinopathy occurs when changes in the retina’s blood vessels cause either leaking of the vessels or growth of abnormal new blood vessels on the retina’s surface. “We have great treatments for diabetic retinopathy,” says Cai. “However, it is important to get regular eye examinations so that your doctor can offer you these treatments as soon as you might need them.”
Macular edema. The macula — the center of the retina that provides sharp, straight vision — can swell due to leaky blood vessels caused by diabetes. This can result in blurred or distorted vision.
Glaucoma. One form of glaucoma, neovascular glaucoma, is caused by diabetes. High sugar levels can damage the retina’s blood vessels and result in the creation of abnormal new ones. When new blood vessels grow on the eye’s iris (the colored part of the eye), it can cause an increase in eye pressure and glaucoma.
Cataracts. Cataracts can form earlier and progress faster in people with diabetes due to the increase of sugar in the blood. This creates a cloudy buildup in the eye’s lens, resulting in a cataract.
Swelling of the Eye Lens
Another potential effect from diabetes is swelling of the eye lens, leading to blurry vision. If your blood sugar levels change quickly from low to normal, the shape of your eye’s lens can be affected and your vision can be blurred. Your vision goes back to normal after your blood sugar stabilizes. “If you’re getting eyeglasses, make sure your blood sugar levels are controlled before your exam so that you can get the most accurate glasses prescription,” says Cai.
Diabetic eye disease prevention
The best way to prevent diabetes-related eye problems is to manage your blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Ways you can help prevent eye problems caused by diabetes include:
- Control your blood sugar. Your doctor can provide direction on how to keep your blood sugar normal and avoid fluctuations that can lead to diabetic eye diseases. “In addition to getting your eyes checked, it’s also very important to keep the blood sugars under control,” says Cai. “This is not only good for you overall, but also good for your eyes.”
- Lower your blood pressure and cholesterol. Get recommendations from your doctor on ways you can combat high blood pressure and cholesterol, because these can worsen diabetic eye disease.
- Stop smoking. Smoking can cause further damage to your blood vessels, including the ones in your eyes, so it’s very important to stop smoking.
- Avoid harmful rays. Protect yourself from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays by wearing sunglasses. Exposure to these rays can speed up the progression of cataracts.
Diabetic Eye Exam
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s important to have regular eye exams to evaluate the health of your eyes and detect any changes.
How does a diabetic eye exam work?
A diabetic eye exam can occur two ways:
- An eye doctor places drops into your eyes to dilate the pupils and observe the health of the retina.
- A special camera is used to take pictures of the back of the eyes. The pictures are sent to a computer program, which uses artificial intelligence to find diabetic retinopathy in the pictures. In less than a minute, the program will determine whether you have diabetic retinopathy and need to follow up with an eye doctor.
“Getting dilated eye examinations are so important,” says Cai. “This allows your doctors to identify issues early and offer you treatments if you need them to prevent vision loss from diabetes.”
Understanding Diabetic Eye Exam Results from the Artificial Intelligence System
- I received a negative result: A negative result means you do not have a level of diabetic retinopathy that needs to be assessed by an eye doctor right away. You will need to see an eye care specialist promptly if you have blurred vision or other symptoms of vision loss. If there are no vision loss symptoms, retesting in 12 months is recommended.
- I received an “image quality insufficient” result: In a small number of cases, it is not possible to take a good enough quality picture for the computer system to detect diabetic retinopathy. If this happens, you will be referred to an eye doctor for an eye exam.
- I received a positive result: A positive result means you have a level of diabetic retinopathy that needs to be evaluated by an eye doctor. This may or may not be a level of disease that needs immediate treatment. Only an eye doctor can tell if the disease is severe enough for treatment. A positive result is an important reminder to talk to your doctor about your care plan and ways to help reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy worsening and possibly causing vision loss.
5 Steps to Prevent Diabetic Eye Disease
1. Come in for a dilated eye exam at least once a year
If your eyes already show changes due to diabetes, you may need to see your Smart Eye Care ophthalmologist more frequently. Generally, however, it’s recommended that you have a comprehensive diabetes eye exam once a year, even if you haven’t noticed any problems with your vision.
Diabetic eye diseases typically have few symptoms until the condition has advanced beyond the early stages. During a dilated eye exam, your ophthalmologist can identify even subtle signs that diabetes is threatening your sight.
When caught early, many effective treatments exist that can prevent diabetic eye disease from worsening and protect your vision.
2. Manage your blood sugar like a pro
Over time, elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels damage the tiny blood vessels that provide oxygen and other vital nutrients to the retina, nerves, and other soft-tissue structures within your eyes. This often begins during the prediabetic phase, when your blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough for a formal diagnosis of diabetes.
Most sight-threatening diabetic eye diseases begin with damage to these blood vessels. Keeping your blood sugar normal through diet, exercise, and prescribed medications can keep your blood vessels healthy and your eyesight intact.
3. Control your blood pressure and keep a lid on your cholesterol
Like other blood vessels in your body, the delicate vessels in your eyes react negatively to both elevated blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. Monitoring your blood pressure and cholesterol regularly and taking steps to control both can protect the health of your eyes.
4. Eat healthily and exercise regularly
Healthy nutrition and routine exercise help control your diabetes and greatly benefit your eye health. Your diabetes care team can help you create a meal plan that works for you and gives you the energy required to maintain an active lifestyle.
5. Seek help early
If you notice changes in your vision, don’t wait for a yearly exam to come in to see your Smart Eye Care ophthalmologist. The change may signal a serious issue that requires immediate medical attention. For instance, if you’re seeing flashes of light or increased floaters (spots) in your visual field or have the sensation that a curtain has been pulled over your eyes, you may be experiencing a retinal detachment, which is a medical emergency.
For top-rated diabetic eye care designed to protect and preserve your vision throughout the year, schedule a visit at Smart Eye Care today. Call one of our offices in Brooklyn, New York, or book your appointment online.
10 Foods That Protect Your Eyes
- Fish
Omega-3 fatty acids are abundant in several fish.
Fish with high levels of omega-3 oil provide the most benefit.
Omega-3 fatty acids can help with vision development, retinal health, and in the prevention of dry eye.
Fish with the highest amounts of omega-3 fatty acids include:
- Anchovies
- Herring
- Mackerel
- Salmon
- Sardines
- Trout
- Tuna
- Nuts and legumes
Omega-3 fatty acids are also abundant in nuts.
Nuts that contain omega 3 oils and vitamin E, can protect the eyes from damage caused by aging.
The following nuts and legumes are beneficial to eye health:
- Walnuts
- Cashews
- Brazil nuts
- Lentils
- Peanuts
- Seeds
Many seeds, similar to nuts and legumes, are abundant in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E.
Vitamin E consumption on a regular basis can help prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
Seeds that contain Omega-3 or vitamin E include:
- Flax seeds
- Chia seeds
- Hemp seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Citrus fruits
Vitamin C is abundant in citrus fruits.
Vitamin C, like vitamin E, is an antioxidant that helps to prevent age-related vision loss.
Citrus fruits high in vitamin C include:
- Oranges
- Lemons
- Grapefruits
- Leafy green vegetables
Leafy green vegetables are high in lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as vitamin C, which are healthy for the eyes and may prevent cataracts.
Leafy greens that promote eye health include:
- Collards
- Kale
- Spinach
6. Carrots
Carrots are high in beta carotene and Vitamin A.
Yes, carrots can provide health benefits for your eyes, as carrots get their orange hue from beta carotene.
Vitamin A is necessary for good vision, as it’s part of the rhodopsin protein, which helps in the absorption of light by the retina.
7. Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes, like carrots, are high in beta carotene.
Beta carotene aids night vision, your eyes’ ability to adjust to darkness. Sweet potatoes are also high in vitamin E, an antioxidant.
A sweet potato also contains more than half of your daily vitamin C requirements and a small amount of vitamin E.
8. Beef, Lean Meat and Poultry
Zinc is abundant in beef, and it has been linked to improved long-term eye health.
Zinc can help prevent age-related vision loss and macular degeneration. Zinc is abundant in the eye, specifically in the retina and the vascular tissue that surrounds the retina.
9. Eggs
Eggs contain high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin, which can help prevent age-related vision loss.
Eggs are also rich in vitamin C and E, as well as zinc.
The zinc in an egg will help the body utilize the lutein and zeaxanthin found in the yolk and protect the retina from harmful blue light, while boosting the quantity of protective pigment in the macula, which controls central vision.
10. Water
We all know drinking plenty of water can help to prevent dehydration. But what you may not know is that staying hydrated can help to alleviate dry eye syndrome.
Eating tips
You should also consider filling your plate with plenty of other fresh fruits and veggies in addition to these 10 foods.
Aim for at least two servings of fruit and five servings of veggies every day.
Asparagus, berries, broccoli, cucumber, eggplant, radish and zucchini are all excellent alternatives when you want to add diversity to your diet while also maximizing on nutrients.
Colorful foods are fun to eat, and as an added bonus, they’re good for you and your eyes.
Can I get my eyesight back to normal?
When we can’t see clearly, we grasp at what we can. While we can’t correct vision without the help of lenses or surgery, there are some fundamental ways you can improve your eyesight and eye health on your own.
Improving eyesight naturally
The best way to improve your eyesight naturally is to give your eyes what they need to be healthy. A steady supply of nutritious foods and vitamins keeps your eyes — and your body in general — at their peak.
Vitamins and antioxidants
Two common vitamins and antioxidants shown to help improve eyesight include:
- Vitamin A (deficiencies hurt our supply of a pigment called rhodopsin that’s critical for seeing in low light and at night)
- Lutein
How lutein helps your eyes
Lutein is a pigment found in high concentrations in a layer of the retina where pigment-packed cells help shield against excess light. Solid scientific research shows that lutein supplementation aids this process in our eyes to naturally improve vision.
Fortunately, lutein is an antioxidant that occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables such as spinach, kale, and Swiss chard
Food for sight
Many of the vitamins and antioxidants that improve eyesight naturally are found in common foods, including:
- Carrots, kale, spinach, and collard greens (vitamin A and lutein)
- Liver (vitamin A), including cod liver oil
- Swiss chard, zucchini, and brussel sprouts (lutein)
- Sweet potatoes and butter (vitamin A)
Will eye exercises save my sight? (Or just make me roll my eyes?)
Many eye exercises are touted as ways to naturally improve eyesight and overcome nearsightedness. The Bates Method suggests palming, movement and visualization techniques to reshape the eyeball and improve vision. Yan BaoJian Cao suggests massage and acupressure as ways to relieve strain and eye problems.
However, none of these exercises are verified to have more than anecdotal or placebo results. While vision therapy is a serious area of optometry that addresses problems with alignment, tracking and strain, there’s no sound evidence that vision exercises can affect clarity.
We can’t correct our vision without professional help, and there’s no quick-and-easy fix for eyesight problems. But with tools such as good nutrition and diet, you can still help your eyesight naturally and on your own. As always, please discuss with your eye doctor.
