Your Eyes Are Two Good Reasons To Take Care Of Your Diabetes
Managing diabetes can be complex, but it should not mean missing out on the good things in life, like watching a sunset or reading a book. Keeping blood glucose levels within range can help prevent complications such as those that affect your eyes.
Over time, diabetes may cause damage to the eyes which can lead to poor vision or even blindness. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common complication of diabetes and affects one third of people living with diabetes.1
RISK FACTOR
Beyond poorly managed diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, pregnancy, hyperglycemia and high cholesterol may trigger or worsen eye problems2
PREVENTION
Look after your eyes and help prevent vision loss3
- Have your eyes checked regularly, at least every two years, to pick up early signs of damage (glaucoma, cataracts, retinopathy and macular edema)
- Do your best to keep blood glucose levels in target range
- Maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- If your vision has been affected, seek immediate treatment from your doctor
That’s why we are focusing on the importance of keeping blood glucose levels within range and to help prevent complications such as those that affect the eyes.
Get insights by recording your blood sugar readings using a digital logbook by simply downloading the mySugr app on your mobile phone. You can even share your reports with your healthcare professional.
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References:
1. MOH HealthHub, Live Healthy. Diabetic Retinopathy. https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/974/too-much-eye-candy-the-growing...(accessed Jul 2021)
2. Risk Factors of Diabetic Retinopathy, Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-retinopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20371611 (accessed Jul 2021)
3. Diabetes Australia. Eye Health. Available at https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/eye-health (last accessed Jul 2021), American Diabetes Association (n.d). Eye Complications. Retrieved from: https://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/eye-complications/?referrer=https://www.google.ca/. (accessed Jul 2021) and Canadian Diabetes Association (n.d). Eye Damage and diabetes (Diabetic Retinopathy). Retrieved from: https://www.diabetes.ca/managing-my-diabetes/preventing-complications/eye-damage. (accessed Jul 2021)