Protect your eyes By keeping your BGLs – and your peepers – in check
Your sight is precious, and even though diabetes may affect it,
there’s plenty you can do to keep your vision 20/20
They are the windows to the world, allowing you to see and interpret what’s going on around you. So it’s not surprising that vision complications are a concern to people with diabetes.
Problems can arise due to high blood glucose levels (BGLs) and high blood pressure, which can affect the tiny blood vessels in your eyes.
Studies suggest one in three Australians with diabetes will develop eye disease, with diabetes the leading cause of preventable blindness among working age adults.
Fortunately there are many ways you can preserve your vision, including having regular eye screening checks to detect any changes early.
Lower your risk of diabetesrelated complications with these five ways to protect your eyes.
1. Eat for vision
Researchers from the NSW Blue Mountains Eye Study, a large 15-year study which examined the eyes of over 7000 people aged over 49, found that one serve of fish per week was linked with a reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Other eye-friendly foods include leafy greens such as spinach and kale, berries, citrus fruits, carrots and nuts.
2. Quit now
According to research published in the Diabetes and Metabolism journal, smoking aggravates the microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus. Trying to give up? Call Quitline on 13 78 48.
3. Move more
Evidence suggests exercise is a sure-fire way of protecting your eyesight by keeping your ABCs (A1c, blood pressure and cholesterol levels) in check. At least 30 minutes activity each day is a recommended guideline for weight loss and heart health.
“If you have any diabetesrelated eye complications such as
retinopathy, macular oedema or glaucoma, it’s important to seek medical advice from your GP or diabetes specialist prior to undertaking any new forms of exercise,” says Diabetes NSW/ACT Accredited Exercise Physiologist Thomas Laing.
He warns that high-impact activities like running, skipping, jumping and high intensity strength training should be avoided in some cases. “Proper breathing is important in avoiding spikes in blood pressure,” he says.
For a safe exercise program, Laing recommends consulting with an accredited exercise physiologist who specialises in diabetes. Call the NDSS helpline on 1300 136 588 to find someone in your area.
4. Drink wise
Researchers at the Centre for Eye Research Australia found people who drink more than two standard alcoholic drinks a day had a 20 per cent increased risk of developing eye disease compared to non-drinkers. It’s thought that alcohol affects the absorption of nutrients important to the lens. It’s also full of empty kilojoules.
5. #test 2 prevent
Research published in Ophthalmic Epidemiology found that up to 48 per cent of people with diabetes hadn’t had a retinal eye exam within the recommended two-year time frame. Be kind to your body and stay up to date with all your health checks. For more information about diabetes eye screening visit cera.org.au, optometry.org.au or eyefoundation.org.au.