Top 10 Tips for Diabetic Retinopathy Prevention

Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes complication. It causes retinal damage due to increased blood glucose levels. High blood sugar levels can harm the capillaries that supply your retina with blood. People with diabetes have a high risk of getting the eye condition. Fortunately, you can reduce your chances of getting it. Read on to learn the tips for diabetic retinopathy prevention.

Exercise Regularly

Healthcare providers emphasize the need to exercise regularly to prevent diabetic retinopathy. Daily workouts lower blood sugar levels and promote circulation. Retinal capillaries do not get damaged with a well-regulated blood sugar level.

Maintain a Correct Body Mass Index

Obesity plays a role in the development of diabetic retinopathy and other complications caused by diabetes. Start lowering your BMI if it surpasses your age and height standard. You also regulate your blood sugar levels by losing weight.

Wear Eye Protection

You can prevent retinal damage and eyelid cancer if you wear UV protective eyewear, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunscreen. Experts recommend using sunglasses with 100 percent UVA and UVB protection.

Lower Your Blood Pressure

Your blood pressure plays a significant role in your general and eye health. You can monitor the levels at home or from a clinic or hospital with the help of a certified medical care provider. If your blood pressure is high, do your best to reduce it through medications or your stress levels. The thin blood vessels in your eyes can burst due to uncontrolled blood pressure.

Stabilize Your Cholesterol Levels

Your cholesterol levels play a significant role in lowering your diabetic retinopathy risk. You can get an update on the state of your cholesterol level through a simple blood test in a clinic or hospital. Get a medical care professional to consult if you notice an irregularity.

Manage Stress

High-stress levels increase your risk of diabetic retinopathy. Stress boosts adrenaline and cortisol, hormones that cause insulin resistance. As a result, your blood sugar can rise. Try ways to help you relax, like getting optimum sleep and exercise.

Eat a Healthy and Balanced Diet

A healthy diet plays a significant role in preventing diabetic retinopathy. Maintain a healthy weight, blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure by eating plenty of veggies, fruits, and lean protein. Avoid processed foods as they negatively affect your sugar, sodium, and cholesterol levels.

Lower your risk of diabetic retinopathy by eating foods rich in nutrients. Choose meals rich in lutein, vitamin A, fatty acids, vitamin C, and zeaxanthin. Lower your sodium or salt intake to reduce your risk of high blood pressure. Try using spices and herbs to add flavor to your meals. Reduce inflammation in the tiny blood vessels in your eyes by eating low-salt diets.

Quit Smoking and Drinking

Quit as soon as possible if you drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. Excessive tobacco and intake of alcoholic beverages obstruct proper blood circulation and oxygenation. Your retina requires oxygenated blood to stay healthy and function properly.

Get Routine Dilated Eye Exams

Routine dilated eye exams allow your ophthalmologist to check your retina and optic nerve. Doing so helps relieve the damage that could have affected your vision and eye structure. Start treatment immediately if your eyecare professional notices significant eye health changes.

Monitor Vision Changes

Contact your eye doctor immediately if you notice vision changes like eye redness, pain, floaters, or haze. Do not wait for your annual eye exam to get checked. You may need immediate treatment to prevent or slow down vision loss.

For more about diabetic retinopathy prevention, call Okaloosa Eye Care at (850) 608-0003 to reach our office in Crestview, Florida.