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Diabetes and eye problems often go hand in hand. But that doesn’t have to be the case. Protect your vision with the help of these 3 strategies.
If you have diabetes, you may already know that it can harm your eyes if it’s not well managed.
The good news? About 95% of vision problems from diabetes can be prevented. Here are smart, simple ways to protect your eyesight.
Eye exams are an essential part of a diabetes treatment plan. Book an appointment with an optometrist at America’s Best today!
Strategy #1: Schedule an Eye Exam at Least Once a Year
People with diabetes should see their eye doctor at least once a year for a diabetic eye exam.
During this exam, your eye doctor checks the back of your eyes, where the retina is, with one of two tests. One is a retinal imaging scan, which uses a high-resolution laser to create a picture of your retina.
Or you may have a dilated eye exam. Your eye doctor uses eyedrops to widen your pupils for a view of the back of your eye. Talk to your diabetes doctor and eye doctor for more specific advice.
Recommended reading: America’s Best Guide to Diabetes and Your Eyes
Strategy #2: Check Your A1C Levels a Few Times a Year
The A1C test measures your average blood sugar levels over a two- to three-month period. Lowering your A1C levels can help you both manage your diabetes and safeguard your eyes.
In fact, research shows that for every 1% that your A1C falls, there’s potentially a 40% drop in the risk of eye problems due to diabetes. Ask your doctor how often you should check your numbers. Most people should test their A1C every three to six months.
Recommended reading: Diabetes Management: 3 Numbers You Need to Know to Protect Your Vision
Strategy #3: Learn the Warning Signs of Vision Problems
If you have diabetes, it’s important to report any vision changes to your doctors. There are a few warning signs that diabetes is stirring up trouble for your vision.
This includes:
- Floaters, which are small moving shapes that drift in and out of your line of sight
- A blind spot in the center of your field of vision
- Sudden flashes of light
- A sudden occurrence of blurry vision
Each of these red flags should be reported right away.
These things sound scary — but eye problems aren’t a given if you have diabetes. It just means you need a plan of action — and your eye doctor can help at every step of the way.