Diabetic retinopathy is one of the possible long-term complications to
consider when you are diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy can
be avoided. These tips can help you reduce your risk of developing diabetic
retinopathy, or slowing the progression.
- Have your eyes
examined - If you are diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes you should
have your eyes examined at least annually. An annual visit to an
ophthalmologist is essential to helping detect early retinal damage.
Retinal damage can be treated easily with laser therapy if detected early.
For those with Type II Diabetes, you should have an eye exam as quickly
after you receive a diagnosis as possible and it should be repeated
annually.
- Control Blood Sugar -
Diabetic retinopathy can be avoided by closely monitoring blood sugar
levels. Follow any advice given by your doctor. Your diabetes is going to
require aggressive management and you must follow your physician's advice.
A hemoglobin test every three to six months can help evaluate how well
under control your blood sugar levels are. Every ten percent reduction in
your HbA1c levels (hemoglobin) can reduce your risk of developing diabetic
retinopathy by more than thirty percent.
- Maintain normal
blood pressure - Whether you are diabetic or not, it is important
to keep your blood pressure normal. If you are a diabetic, blood pressure
is even more important. Increased blood pressure can result in the onset
or progression of diabetic retinopathy. Keeping your blood pressure at or
below 130/80 can help prevent possible long-term complications associated
with diabetic retinopathy.
- Quit Smoking -
Many studies (though there are conflicting studies) show that cigarette
smoking increases the risk for developing diabetic retinopathy. This is
believed to be because of the tendency of those who smoke to have higher
blood pressure levels. Whether there is a direct link to diabetic
retinopathy has not been fully established. However, quitting smoking does
often help with lower blood pressure levels.
- Controlling Cholesterol - Conflicting studies show that high cholesterol may be associated with the risks of diabetic retinopathy. Lower cholesterol levels are sensible for all of us, but for those who are diabetic it could be even more important. Maintaining low cholesterol levels can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Some studies have indicated that lowering your cholesterol may also lower your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.
Warning signs
Diabetic
retinopathy is not generally symptomatic. There are changes that may
occur in your eyes that should be considered warning signs including loss of
vision in one eye, blurry vision, reading problems, double vision, pain in the
eye, feeling of pressure behind the eye or other changes that you are concerned
about.
Diabetic Retinopathy does not have to be one of the consequences of
your diabetes. Taking care of your blood sugar, blood pressure and blood
cholesterol levels can help reduce your risk of developing diabetic
retinopathy.
Source: http://www.webmd.com
