8 Ways to Save Your Eyesight

Having diabetes puts you at higher risk of developing glaucoma, cataracts and other visual problems than someone who does not have diabetes. Here’s what you can do to keep your eyes healthy.

People with diabetes are 40% more likely to develop glaucoma (nerve damage in the eye) and 60% more likely to develop cataracts (clouded lenses) than those without diabetes. And many people with diabetes also develop diabetic retinopathy, or damage to the blood vessels in the retina that can lead to blindness. Since there can be few warning symptoms for diabetic eye disease, the best thing you can do is practice preventative care to keep your eyes as healthy as possible.

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1. Control Your Blood Sugar

Blood sugar ups and downs can cause temporary changes in vision. Chronic high blood sugar can permanently damage tiny blood vessels in your retina, which in turn, leads to retinopathy. Cataracts, glaucoma, and retinopathy can further damage the optic nerves in your eyes. Much of this damage can occur before you notice any visual changes. Tight control of blood sugar usually results in fewer eye problems, but it is important to speak with your healthcare provider to find out what that means for you.

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Written by Susan McQuillan, MS, RDN, CDN

View Sources

Accord Study Group and Accord Eye Study Group. Effects of Medical Therapies on Retinopathy Progression in Type 2 Diabetes. New Eng J Med. 2010;363(3):233-244.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4026164/

Ghosh D and Konishi T. Anthcyanins and anthocyanin-rich extracts: role in diabetes and eye function. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2007;16(2):200-208.
http://apjcn.org/update%5Cpdf%5C2007%5C2%5C200-208%5C200.pdf

Facts About Diabetic Eye Disease. Diabetic Retinopathy. National Eye Institute website. https://nei.nih.gov/health/diabetic/retinopathy June 2012. Accessed September 10, 2015.

Prevent diabetes problems: keep your eyes healthy. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website.
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/Diabetes/prevent-diabetes-problems/Pages/keep-eyes-healthy.aspx May 1, 2015. Accessed September 10, 2015.