Eye Health and Eye Exams for People with Diabetes

Eye Health and Eye Exams for People with Diabetes

Diabetes is a complex condition that has many less familiar side effects than the body’s inability to produce insulin (type 1) or the body’s inability to respond to insulin or produce enough (type 2). One of the most significant health risks of diabetes outside diabetic comas caused by too high or too low blood sugar is the damage done to large blood vessels that are inside your heart, brain, and legs, and damage done to small blood vessels in the feet, nerves, kidneys, and eyes. Patients with diabetes need to see optometrists who understand the complex issues diabetes can cause on eye health regularly, at least every year because there are differences between a standard eye exam and an eye exam for someone who has diabetes.  What are some eye problems that can affect people with diabetes?  Glaucoma  People who have diabetes are more susceptible than the general population to both glaucoma, blurry vision, and cataracts. Glaucoma is the build-up of pressure inside of the eyeball, and it can lead to loss of sight over time. There are many treatments for glaucoma, including medication, eye drops, traditional surgery, or laser surgery. Glaucoma can be treated very successfully, but once you begin to lose vision because of glaucoma, that vision loss is irreversible, which is why it is so essential for people with diabetes to get regular eye exams so that if they develop glaucoma, it can be caught in the early stage before vision loss occurs.  Cataracts  A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s natural lens. Cataracts usually only affect people over the age of 40, but for...
The Importance of Having Eye Exams on a Regular Basis

The Importance of Having Eye Exams on a Regular Basis

Your eyes can be very important indicators of potential diseases that may be present in your body. Having regular eye exams are not only a good idea to keep your eyes and vision healthy, your optometrist can also detect other problems you may not have noticed before. In fact, there are more than 30 different conditions that show symptoms in your eyes.  Eye doctors and optometrists are usually the first to spot certain problems and advise you to seek further medical diagnosis. A recent study of 120,000 patients done by the insurance company VSP Vision Care showed that an eye exam was the first to indicate 34% of diabetes cases, 39% of high blood pressure cases, and 62% of high cholesterol cases.  If you have been avoiding getting regular eye exams because you think your vision is fine, it’s time to rethink how you view eye exams. Here are a few reasons why you need to call your optometrist to set up your eye exam and get on a schedule to get them regularly. Can spot early diabetes If you have red spots in your eyes, this could be a sign of diabetes. When your blood sugar builds up too high, blood vessels will begin to block and swell up, which can burst into tiny blood vessels that travel to your retina. If this isn’t treated soon enough, it may lead to impaired vision or even blindness.  Causes of bloodshot, swollen, red, or dry eyes If you are susceptible to swollen, red, dry, or bloodshot eyes, your optometrist will be able to determine what the root cause is. If...
The Adverse Effects of Diabetes on Our Eyes

The Adverse Effects of Diabetes on Our Eyes

It is recommended that people with diabetes must visit an eye doctor regularly. High blood sugar levels can lead to conditions such as blurry vision, cataracts, glaucoma and retinopathy. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness.  Blurry Vision Blurry vision can’t always be treated with new glasses and contact lenses. Chances are that the problem is being caused by high blood sugar levels. Diabetes can result in lens swelling up and changing our ability to see. Blood sugar needs to be brought back into the target range, which can take up to three months.  Cataracts The lens in our eyes allows us to focus on an image. Cataracts cloud our lens with debris. While anybody can suffer from cataracts, it worsens faster among people with diabetes. Cloudy lenses will make you experience difficulty in focusing, and symptoms include glare and blurred vision. Surgery is required to cure cataracts, which entails replacing the lens with artificial ones.  Glaucoma  The condition of glaucoma takes place when pressure increases inside the eyes as a result of built up fluid that is not draining out as it should. The disease can lead to damaged blood vessels and nerves. Open-angle glaucoma is the common form of the condition and can be treated with medications, which lower eye pressure, fasten up the drainage and decrease the amount of liquid the eyes make.  Open-Angle Glaucoma Apparent symptoms may not show up during open-angle glaucoma until it’s too late and significant vision loss has occurred, which is why it’s essential to visit an eye doctor regularly. Symptoms of more severe forms of glaucoma include eyes aches, blurred...
Best Foods to Keep Your Eyes Healthy

Best Foods to Keep Your Eyes Healthy

Many people think that deteriorating eyesight is an inevitable result of ageing but, the truth is, a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the chances of eye health issues. Studies have shown that certain nutrients may reduce the risk of age-related eye degeneration. The following are the best nutrient-rich foods that boost eye health: FishFish contain rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Oily fish have oil in their tissue, which means consuming them gives you higher levels of omega-3 fish oil. The most beneficial fish are anchovies, herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines and tuna. Some studies have shown that fish oil can reverse dry eye, including conditions caused by staring at screens for too long. Nuts and LegumesAlso rich in omega-3 fatty acids, nuts and legumes can help protect against age-related damage and have high levels of vitamin E. Brazil nuts, cashews, lentils, peanuts and walnuts all are excellent for maintaining eye health. SeedsSimilar to nuts and legumes, seeds are also a rich source of vitamin E and high in omega-3s. Seeds that have the highest content of omega-3 are chia, flax and hemp seeds. Citrus FruitsRich in vitamin C, citrus fruits are an antioxidant that helps fight against age-related eye damage. Grapefruit, lemons and oranges are all vitamin C-rich fruits you should consume regularly. Leafy Green VegetablesRich in both zeaxanthin and lutein, leafy green vegetables such as collards, kale and spinach are excellent sources of vitamin C. CarrotsBeta carotene gives carrots its orange colour, and your body also needs this nutrient to produce vitamin A, which plays a vital role in vision health. It is a part of a protein...
5 Signs You Need to See an Eye Specialist

5 Signs You Need to See an Eye Specialist

If you are extra cautious about your eyes, there are chances that you might be running to an eye specialist at the slightest hint that your eyes need medical attention. However, many people still procrastinate when it comes to seeing an eye doctor. In fact, as many as 47% of people fear to find out they have a serious eye problem and avoid seeing an eye specialist out of that fear. However, here are a few symptoms that should not be taken lightly or ignored when it comes to ensuring proper vision and avoiding serious eye issues. HeadachesA persistent, pounding headache is a sure sign that it is time for you to visit a trustworthy eye doctor. A routine eye exam can give a clear indication of an eye issue that may be causing your headaches. Staring at the computer screen for too long or working on a too bright or too dim computer screen are some of the most common reasons for headaches. Adjusting the light and taking regular breaks every 20 minutes of screen exposure is important to give your eyes the rest that they need. Glaucoma can be a more severe cause of headaches. Only a specialist can determine the exact cause of your headache and tell you if it is associated with eye issues. Eye infectionIf you notice apparent signs of an eye infection like a red eye, discharge, pain, watery eyes, blurred vision or sensitivity to light, it is best to see an eye specialist immediately before the problem worsens. Bright flashes and floaters Floaters are quite a common phenomenon. Those tiny squiggly or...

Foods to Avoid for Healthy Eyes

The holiday season is almost over. For some, now comes the more challenging season of New Year’s resolutions. Most will choose to spend more time with family, to get outside more, or to exercise more. All of these resolutions are noble and will be worth the effort. If you haven’t chosen a new year’s resolution, consider this: eat better for your eyes. As adults, when eyesight has evened out, you may have glasses or contact lenses, or you might have great vision; either way, you can prevent vision from deteriorating or from becoming worse. Rather than telling you what to eat, we will change it up a little bit, and tell you what foods to avoid. Our eyes are full of blood vessels, so foods that are also good to avoid for heart health should also be avoided to keep your eyes healthy. Margarine and Vegetable Oils Condiments often have ingredients that have negative impacts on your body. Mayonnaise, salad dressing, or jelly, all have either a high-fat content or high sugar content. Also, foods that have margarine or vegetable oils and are man-made should be avoided. Foods that are high in polyunsaturated fats will oxidize in your body and can lead to inflammation and may even cause clogged arteries. Fried Foods Avoiding foods with vegetable oils means avoiding fried foods because that is how they are made. Canola oil, commonly used to fry foods, is a genetically modified product that can also lead to clogged arteries. Fried foods can also cause plaque to build up which can lead to high blood pressure, also a danger to your eyes....