Preventing Vision Loss from Diabetic Eye Diseases

November is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month

(Honolulu, Hawaii), November 10, 2022 – The CDC Reports that roughly 34.2 million Americans have diabetes while another 88 million American adults have pre-diabetes. It is also currently the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults. Unfortunately, once it has developed, diabetes is typically life-long, and if left untreated, will result in numerous health complications, including those that affect eye health and vision. Diabetic eye diseases include several different eye problems such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma. All of which are more likely to occur in individuals with diabetes and may potentially result in severe vision loss or blindness. However, even though this is a critical health issue that has become very prevalent in the U.S., studies show that there is an alarming number of health disparities between minority populations, resulting in a serious lack of awareness towards this issue. That is why the American Academy of Ophthalmology has dedicated the month of November to Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness. We want to do our part to share valuable information about diabetes, as well as doctor recommended advice on how to prevent vision loss from diabetic eye disease.

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that occurs when the body is not adequately turning food into energy. When we eat, our bodies break down food into glucose (sugar), and then a peptide hormone called insulin, moves this glucose from the blood and into different cells. When your body lacks enough insulin (a condition known as hyperglycemia) or your diet is too rich in sugars and forms of glucose, this can result in blood sugar levels rising higher than normal. This is known as having high blood sugar. Too much sugar in the blood can create blockages in the bloodstream, which may cause changes to the blood vessels and cut off the bloody supply to our organs. This is crucial because blood carries important nutrients and without it, the body begins to deteriorate. Diabetes is often associated with hyperglycemia and high blood sugar, and the longer you have diabetes and the less you monitor and maintain adequate blood sugar levels, the more prone you are to medical complications associated with this issue, especially within the eyes. Another thing to keep in mind is that, although each case is different, there are also risk factors that may increase your risk of developing diabetic eye disease, including pregnancy, tobacco use, and race (Black, Hispanic, and Native American ethnicities show the highest risk).

At Hawaiian Eye Center, we advise that to prevent vision loss due to diabetic eye disease, those with diabetes should receive a dilated eye exam every year. Through this, your doctor will be able to check for signs in the retina and other parts of the eye and diagnose any eye conditions that may be brought on by diabetes and come up with a proper treatment plan. If you have diabetes and become pregnant, we highly suggest receiving a dilated eye exam in your first trimester, throughout the pregnancy, and up to one year after.

On top of maintaining eye exams every year, there are also many ways you can stay in control of your eye health while living with diabetes. At home, we advise that those with diabetes are:

• Monitoring and maintaining proper blood sugar levels
• Keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol under control
• Eating a healthy and balanced diet
• Keeping your body active
• Quitting smoking and tobacco use
• Testing hemoglobin A1c levels regularly
• Testing urine for ketone levels regularly
• Taking medication as directed and on schedule
• Using Insulin as directed

Remember, diabetes does not mean inevitable vision loss. With the proper management and an active healthy lifestyle, you can live life to the fullest and without serious eye health complications brought on by diabetes.