Vision Protection in Diabetes

Those of us, who have diabetes and have enjoyed the gifts of sight, may find it hard to imagine what blindness can do the quality of life. It takes away independence, and many of the mundane pleasures to which we are so accustomed.

Environmental pollutants, toxic chemicals, and even the stray projectile all threaten physical damage to our eyes, and some parts of these vital organs decay naturally with age. These are not things most of us can control, but poorly controlled diabetes certainly is within reach, affects vision dramatically over time.

High blood sugar damages blood vessels and nerves which serve the eyes, and vision can virtually disappear over time. Loss of sight is amongst the worst complications of diabetes, and there is no way to reverse the loss, even if we do eventually find a cure for diabetes.

A simple dilated eye examination by an ophthalmologist is all that any of us need to make sure that our eyes are healthy. The doctor can look inside and tell if there are any signs of serious damage. It is best to take an eye examination at least once a year, though once every 6 months is safer if one has diabetes.

When was your last eye examination done?