Almost 30 million people in the US have diabetes – that’s almost 1 in 10 Americans! Diabetes is an important subject for us at Washington Vision Therapy Center, because it is the leading cause of blindness for today’s adults. This occurs because of how diabetes affects the delicate blood sugar balance in the retina. Diabetes can also increase the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and other diseases.

You won’t be surprised to hear that if you have diabetes, you need to take especially good care of your vision. Those with diabetes need to take an active approach in managing their ocular health as to prevent unnecessary damage from the disease. Here are a few ideas of how to maintain healthy vision if you or a loved one has diabetes: 

• Get a yearly diabetic eye exam. When we perform this exam for our diabetic patients, we use our special equipment to appraise the condition of the small blood vessels in the back of the eye. These blood vessels speak to how well the eye is handling the blood sugar levels. We monitor a condition called Diabetic Retinopathy, which shows how healthy the retina is. We also evaluate the overall health of the eye and make sure that this report is accessible to your primary care doctor. 
• Exercise and maintain a healthy diet. In addition to managing blood sugar levels, exercise also encourages ocular health. Time and time again, science finds that people who regularly exercise are all around healthier and happier. Try to exercise or at least walk around for at least thirty minutes a day. Also eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. Many types of seafood contain valuable Omega 3s, which strengthen the eyes and can protect against certain eye diseases. 
• Respond quickly if you notice a sudden deterioration in your vision. If it’s an emergency, please call 911. Otherwise, if your condition is less urgent, give us a call and we’ll be happy to help! If you notice any sudden symptoms such as double vision, flashes of light in your vision, eye pain, or blurriness, getting to an optometrist quickly can make all the difference. 
• Foster healthy habits. If it’s a sunny day and you’re in the snow, wear goggles. If you’re feeling eyes strain because of the brightness while you’re at the beach or driving, wear sunglasses. This can prevent the development of cataracts and sun damage to the eye. When using screens, pay attention to how your eyes feel, and if they’re getting tired give them a break from the blue light. You might also consider changing your settings or wearing blue-light lenses. 

We understand that managing diabetes can be difficult. We want to help! At Washington Vision Therapy Center we are committed to preventing unnecessary pain and eye disease by working with you to beat diabetes.