5 Ways to Protect Your Vision When You Have Diabetes

Diabetes takes an enormous toll on the body, including eye health. People living with diabetes face a higher-than-average risk of vision loss. It’s crucial to understand the links between diabetes and vision so you can preserve and protect your vision over time. 

The team at Wicker Park Eye Center is proud to be a trusted resource for residents throughout Chicago, Illinois. Let’s delve into how people with diabetes can protect their vision. 

How diabetes affects vision

Diabetes is a chronic disease that develops when your body is unable to produce sufficient levels of a hormone called insulin, or can’t make proper use of the insulin it does produce. 

Insulin is a key component in the conversion of food into energy. When you eat, a portion of that food converts into a type of sugar called glucose. Your bloodstream carries glucose throughout your body to fuel cell processes. 

Insulin “unlocks” cells and allows glucose to enter. Without it, glucose gets trapped in your bloodstream, where it accumulates into abnormally high levels. Meanwhile, your cells don’t get the nourishment they need to thrive. 

That’s why diabetes affects so many areas of the body, including the eyes. 

How to protect against diabetes-related vision loss

Fortunately, you can reduce the risk of vision loss when you have diabetes. Here’s a closer look at how to keep your vision as healthy as possible for as long as possible. 

1. Quit smoking

If you’re a smoker, one of the most impactful changes you can make to improve your eye health and overall health is to quit. It can be challenging to stop smoking, but a number of tools and techniques can help. Work with your primary care provider to explore available options. 

2. Manage your diabetes carefully

If you have diabetes, managing your blood sugar should be a top priority. It can reduce your risk of the disease’s unfortunate outcomes, including vision loss. Some people respond well to medication and lifestyle changes; others require supplemental insulin to maintain their health. 

3. Schedule and attend routine eye exams

An eye exam is the only way to track changes in your eye health. It isn’t enough to visit once you notice a decline in your vision; many conditions don’t present symptoms early on. Eye exams enable early detection and early treatment of many common eye health issues. 

4. Manage cholesterol and blood pressure

High cholesterol and high blood pressure are chronic conditions that can affect your vision. Many people with diabetes have both. Working with your primary care provider to find ways to bring your readings down to healthier levels can help preserve your vision. 

5. Get and stay active

An active lifestyle is a critical part of overall health and wellness. Moving around each day helps keep your circulation strong, improves balance, enhances sleep quality, and much more. Plus, if you carry excess weight, daily movement can help you slim down.

The best way to maintain an active lifestyle is to find activities you enjoy, indoors or out. 

Partner with a great eye health team

At Wicker Park Eye Center, we pride ourselves on the number of patients who visit us after hearing about our services from a friend, colleague, or loved one. We strive to build trust with those in our care so they turn to us with any eye health or vision-related questions or concerns. 

If you’re ready to discuss how best to preserve your vision while living with diabetes, call our office or request an appointment online today.