If you have been recently diagnosed with diabetes, you know that you need to monitor your health more closely. However, you might not realize that you also need to monitor your vision more closely as well. Diabetes can lead to serious vision problems, especially if you don't keep the disease under control. One of those vision problems is diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to permanent blindness. To avoid diabetes-related vision problems, here are four steps you should follow.
Don't Neglect Your Exams
If you're in the habit of neglecting your vision exams, you need to put an end to that practice. Now that you've been diagnosed with diabetes, it's even more essential that you see your optometrist at least once a year. Your optometrist will be able to ensure that your eyes are healthy. Not only that, but if you do begin to show signs of diabetic retinopathy, those annual eye exams will allow your doctor to catch the problem quickly so that treatment can begin. Early detection and treatment is the best way to prevent permanent vision loss associated with diabetic retinopathy, and other diabetes-related vision problems.
Pay Attention to Vision Changes
Now that you've been diagnosed with diabetes, you need to start paying attention to your eyes. Most importantly, you need to pay attention to any vision changes that you might experience. If you notice that your vision is getting cloudy, you're developing blind spots in your field of vision, or you begin noticing leakage from the blood vessels in your eyes, you need to see your optometrist as soon as possible. It's also important that you pay attention to any pressure changes you feel in your eyes. These are all signs that you could be experiencing diabetes-related vision problems.
Control Your Blood Pressure
You might not realize this, but when you have diabetes, high blood pressure can also damage your vision. As your blood pressure rises, so does the pressure in your eyes. The added pressure can lead to fluid leakage from the blood vessels in your eyes, which can cause serious damage. One way to control your blood pressure is to get out and exercise several times a week. It's also important that you talk to your primary care physician about your blood pressure.
Monitor Your Blood Sugar Levels
If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, it's important that you monitor your blood sugar levels. Monitoring your blood sugar levels will help you control your blood sugar, which will keep you and your vision healthy.
Now that you have diabetes, don't take chances with your vision. Visit sites like http://www.josephdevenutojrmd.com and use the tips provided here to help protect your vision.
Share24 January 2018
When a friend of mine started experiencing cloudy vision, they decided to put off a trip to their optometrist's office. Unfortunately, three months later, they found themselves completely blind in one eye—a condition that ended up being permanent. It turned out that they had an undiagnosed eye infection that destroyed their vision. After hearing about that problem, we realized that it might be smart to visit our eye doctor early—before permanent problems set in. Check out this blog for reasons not to skip out on early vision appointments, so that you can protect your family's vision and keep everyone happy and healthy.
