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: Fish Fish 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 Legumes Also 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. Seeds Similar 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 Fruits Rich 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 Vegetables Rich in both zeaxanthin and lutein, leafy green vegetables such as collards, kale and spinach are excellent sources of vitamin C. Carrots Beta 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...
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. Headaches A 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 infection If 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...
How To Prevent Dry Eyes Throughout Winter

How To Prevent Dry Eyes Throughout Winter

With colder temperatures comes colder air, leading to dry eyes and nasal airways. This time of year does not have to be spent enduring burning and/or watery eyes though. There are a few products and tricks you can use to keep your eyes feeling refreshed and comfortable. What causes dry eyes? Your eyes are lubricated by a tear film that consists of three layers. The three layers are lipid (oil), mucus, and aqueous (water). Eyes become dry when these layers are out of balance. Dry eyes can be a constant problem, but it can also happen temporarily. When your eyes do not produce tears properly or when those tears evaporate too quickly, you end up with dry eyes. This condition not only causes you discomfort, but it can also make it difficult to do everyday tasks like using a computer or reading a book. Seniors are more likely to develop dry eyes, but it can occur at any age. Winter is the season when people experience this condition the worst. It is the time of year when the air has less humidity (moisture), and furnaces are used to heat the air, making it even drier. Those factors combined with windy conditions and sun glare can intensify dry eye symptoms throughout the winter. What are the symptoms? Dry eyes may cause your eyes to sting, burn, or feel scratchy. It can also cause these uncomfortable symptoms: ● Redness ● Light sensitivity ● Fatigue ● Excess mucus around the eyes ● Increased irritation of smoke or wind ● Feeling like something is in your eye ● Watery eyes ● Trouble wearing...

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....
Why Get a Diabetic Eye Exam?

Why Get a Diabetic Eye Exam?

Diabetes is a complicated disease and affects all sorts of functions within the body.  From foot problems to damaged blood vessels to cataracts and glaucoma in the eyes. The eyes are a powerful and obviously an incredibly important organ in your body, so it is important to have regular eye exams when you have diabetes. Read on to learn more about what problems can occur in the eyes that are caused by diabetes. At Vision Care Centre in Langley, we want to give you the best eye care possible, and that includes detecting eye problems related to diabetes. Diabetic Retinopathy This eye condition affects the blood vessels in the retina, which is a light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye. This is the most common eye disease that impairs vision and can cause cancer in people who have diabetes. The biggest symptom of diabetes is high blood sugar and this is known to damage tiny blood vessels located in the retina, which leads to diabetic retinopathy. Sending signals through the optic nerve to the brain, the retina detects light and converts it to these signals. With diabetic retinopathy, these blood vessels can leak fluid or hemorrhage, which causes distorted vision. This disease progresses by the blood vessels becoming more and more damaged. First losing the ability to transport blood, then new blood vessels grow, but are weak, thin, and have a high chance of leaking. Scar tissue eventually forms causing the retina to become detached which can cause permanent vision loss. People with diabetes type one and two are at risk for diabetic retinopathy, but the longer one...