If you live with diabetes, then you know firsthand the challenges involved. Along with physical issues, this disease can impact vision. Diabetic Macular Edema remains the biggest threat. If not properly treated, it can lead to different eye problems, all of them serious.

With Diabetic Macular Edema, blood vessels leak into the macula, which is a part of the retina. This causes it to swell, which causes blurry vision. Diabetic Retinopathy is just one example of what Macular Edema causes. With this, high blood sugar damages the retina’s blood vessels, which causes inflammation and leakage.

Specific to Diabetic Retinopathy, if not properly treated, the blood could stop flowing. Regardless, as someone with diabetes, it’s imperative to take good care of your eyes. Otherwise, there’s a serious risk of blindness. Fortunately, you can preserve your vision. Here are 10 ways to accomplish that goal.

One – Keep Blood Sugar Levels Under Control

Always follow your primary caregiver’s instructions regarding when to check your blood sugar levels and how much insulin to take. Keeping the levels as close to normal as possible will greatly benefit your eyes.

Two – Manage Your Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can weaken the retina’s blood vessels, which, in turn, can cause them to leak. It’s important to work with your primary caregiver to ensure you keep your blood pressure under control.

Three – Stop Smoking

If you have diabetes and you’re currently a smoker, now’s the perfect time to stop. After all, tobacco can cause a spike in sugar in your blood. At the same time, it weakens the retina’s blood vessels too.

Four – Keep Your Cholesterol in Check

As someone with diabetes, your doctor probably pays close attention to your cholesterol level. Lowering “bad” cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol can prevent damage to the blood vessels. In addition, it can prevent the onset of Diabetic Macular Edema.

Five – Exercise Regularly

This doesn’t mean you need to hit the gym seven days a week but rather spend about 30 minutes a day doing aerobic activity. That alone will help keep your blood sugar levels within normal range.

Six – Maintain a Healthy Weight

Carrying more weight than recommended for your age and body type can increase the sugar in your bloodstream. In addition, it can weaken the retina’s blood vessels.

Seven – Take Breaks from Digital Devices

Whether you use a smartphone, tablet, or computer, try to limit how much time you spend on it. Now, if you use a computer for work, that’s not always easy. In that case, use an anti-glare screen, work in a well-lit area, and follow the 20/20/20 rule for good vision. That consists of taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes and looking at something other than the screen 20 feet away.

Eight – Eat Nutritious Meals

In addition to eating healthy meals, talk to your primary caregiver about supplements. For the health of your eyes, you particularly want to focus on foods high in zeaxanthin, vitamins A and C, lutein, and fatty acids.

Nine – Avoid Stress

Do your best to avoid anything that causes stress. That’s because this can cause an increase in blood pressure. Sometimes, that means making hard decisions regarding people in your life and staying away from situations that you know will trigger you.

Ten – Have Your Eyes Routinely Checked

Especially as an individual with diabetes, you need to have your eyes routinely checked. Along with complications stemming from Diabetic Macular Edema, you’re at a greater risk for developing both cataracts and glaucoma. See an eye specialist once every two years if you’re between 40 and 55 years old and then once a year thereafter.

The entire staff at Seeport Optometry Complete Vision Healthcare provides excellent patient care. Routine checkups allow eye doctors to detect signs of eye or vision problems associated with diabetes early on. However, even if you’ve already developed a condition, we’ll offer the right treatment. Make an appointment today at the North Port, Florida, office by calling 941-876-4400.