Diabetes can damage your eyes by causing your eye lens to swell, weakening your blood vessels, or damaging your retina. It’s vital to keep your diabetes under control for your overall health and to protect your vision! Discover four ways you can protect your vision if you have diabetes:
Exercise Daily for at Least 30 Minutes
High blood sugar and high blood pressure are two internal factors that damage your eyes. If you have diabetes, these two elements must be kept under control to protect your eye health. Exercising can greatly reduce your blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Typically, 30 minutes of moderate exercise will suffice, but talk to your doctor first.
Ditch Sugary Drinks, Opt for Water
Sugary drinks can be bad for your glucose levels, so opt for water instead! Your body consists of a large percentage of water, and it thrives on water. Also, becoming dehydrated is bad for your eyes, too. You can figure out how much water you should drink daily by doing some simple math:
Your weight x .67 + 12 ounces per 30 minutes of activity level
For example: 100 pounds x .67 + 12 ounces = 79 ounces of water each day.
Drinking enough water every day has many benefits including better skin complexion, less headaches, increased metabolism, and optimal hydration.
Be Intentional About What You Eat
Fiber, leafy greens, and fish are excellent food choices for those with diabetes, as the nutrients found within these foods can positively affect your eyes. Stay away from sugary drinks and foods, as they can negatively affect your blood sugar levels.
Make an Appointment with Your Eye Doctor
Whether you notice concerning symptoms or not, it’s important to have regular checkups with your eye doctor to protect your vision. Often, he will be able to catch any concerning condition within your eye before symptoms even present themselves. Give us a call today to schedule your next appointment: 478-923-5872
Suffering with diabetes? Protect your vision by meeting with one of our friendly doctors.