Introduction
What can a friend do when one has diabetes and does not look after their eyes? What I have found, not much. OK, guys, this part of the story is the macho stuff.
What About My Diabetic Friend?
The tough guy; he knows he has diabetes and if lucky, gave himself an evening finger prick once per day. If his blood sugar level was high, jab, in goes the insulin needle. It is not the best diabetes treatment for a person with Type 2 diabetes. But no matter what anyone said to him, he ate whatever he wanted, and did not worry about his blood sugar level until the evening and then when it was too late.
He also “went to the Doctor” regularly and always came home to his wife with a glowing report. His wife finally discovered that he was not going to the diabetes doctor when it was too late.
Why Was It Too Late?
It was too late because the damage to his eyes had already been done. His wife picked up he had a vision problem seeing her husband continually squinting when driving and coming close to a couple of accidents. She finally went to the doctor with him and discovered that his vision in one eye was at 50% due to cataracts and the other was almost done.
I am glad I was not around for that discussion. The question I have to ask is “why fool yourself when the risk is too great?”
What are some Diabetes Complications?
Diabetes can lead to several eye-related complications, including:
Diabetic retinopathy: This is a condition where high blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the retina, the part of the eye responsible for sensing light. Diabetic retinopathy can cause vision loss or blindness if left untreated.
Diabetic macular edema: This is a complication of diabetic retinopathy where the damaged blood vessels in the retina leak fluid, causing swelling in the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision. This can cause vision loss if left untreated.
Cataracts: People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing cataracts, a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which can cause vision loss.
Glaucoma: Diabetes can increase the risk of developing glaucoma, a group of eye conditions that can cause damage to the optic nerve and lead to vision loss.
Dry eye syndrome: People with diabetes are also at a higher risk of developing dry eye syndrome, a condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly, causing discomfort and vision problems.
It is important for people with diabetes to have regular eye exams to detect and manage any eye-related complications early. Early detection and treatment can help prevent vision loss and improve outcomes.
Tips for Diabetes Eye Care
With diabetes, it is essential to take good care of your eyes as diabetes can cause various eye-related complications. Here are some tips for eye care with diabetes:
Keep your blood sugar under control: High blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in your eyes, leading to diabetic retinopathy. Keeping your blood sugar levels in the target range can help prevent or slow down the progression of diabetic eye disease.
Regular eye exams: It is recommended that people with diabetes have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year to detect any signs of diabetic eye disease early. Early detection and treatment can help prevent vision loss.
Manage your blood pressure and cholesterol: High blood pressure and high cholesterol can damage the blood vessels in your eyes and increase your risk of diabetic retinopathy. Managing these conditions can help reduce your risk of eye complications.
Quit smoking: Smoking can increase your risk of diabetic retinopathy and other eye diseases. Quitting smoking can help reduce your risk.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce your risk of diabetic eye disease.
Protect your eyes from sunlight: Wear sunglasses with UV protection to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.
Remember, early detection and management of diabetic eye disease can help prevent vision loss. If you notice any changes in your vision, make an appointment immediately with your eye doctor.
Don’t be Like My Friend
My friend paid the price. Three eye operations that could have been prevented with proper diabetes treatment and regular visits to his doctor. For a long time the trust with his wife was also broken and with anything, that is the worst that it could get.
Personal choices lead to personal decisions and at Damndiabetes.ca, we work with our clients to help them determine what is the best path to a better quality of life living with diabetes. The decisions are always theirs, but we help form the options and consequences.
If you want help with your diabetes treatment plan, call on Damndiabetes today. Personal, confidential support developed upon the principles of E-A-T: Expertise, Authoritarianism and Trust.
Best wishes from ...
Wayne Drury was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes more than one year. He quickly discovered there was scant diabetes information providing a roadmap to a better quality of life living with diabetes.
With his passion for learning, helping and providing Expertise, Authoritativeness and Trust (E-A-T) to the diabetes community, Damndiabetes began. A boutique firm in Vancouver, they live and breathe the consequences of treating diabetes daily. If you wish help with your diabetes management, are frustrated and have nowhere to turn, call on Damndiabetes.ca and experience their EAT today.
Passion for diabetes knowledge is our centerpiece; EAT is what we deliver.
Disclaimer of Medical Advice: Statements and opinions expressed on this Website do not constitute medical advice or recommendations. You should not rely on any information in such posts or comments to replace consultations and decisions with qualified healthcare professionals.
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