If you have diabetes, vision problems are a big fear. The majority of people declared “legally blind” in the US have Type 2 diabetes. Vision problems and eventual blindness are heavily associated with Type 2 diabetes, though most people with the disease will not suffer any symptoms during the early stages of the disease. Diabetes increases the risk of cataracts and can damage the retina by hindering blood flow around the eye. Diabetes can also cause physical changes in the tissue of the eye itself. Regular vision checkups are recommended for anyone with this disease.

Temporary muscle paralysis in muscles around the eye is an early warning sign of diabetes, though there are other causes. Patients often complain of double or blurred vision. Since there are other causes of vision problems, the best recourse is to see your doctor. They will perform a blood sugar test to determine if you have diabetes and which type it is. With proper diagnosis and care, you can delay the progression and, in some cases, prevent your vision from decaying at all.

The first step in protecting your vision from the destruction of diabetes is to check your blood sugar level frequently and maintain them. Vision problems grow from excess glucose in your blood stream; frequent checking will let you know when it’s high or low. Exercise and a healthy diet are also important means of maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Losing weight will also help you keep your blood sugar levels down. Your doctor or dietician will help you develop a diet and exercise regimen that will fit your routine and diet needs.

The second step to protecting your vision is to get yearly vision tests. A dilated eye exam should be performed at least once every year. Many patients don’t experience any symptoms during the early stages of vision degeneration, which is why it is necessary you get frequent vision tests. If vision detoriation can be detected early, it can be treated easily. If, however, you neglect your vision and don’t get routine vision tests, your eyesight can suffer dramatically. Your optometrist will be able to detect early signs of vision degeneration due to diabetes and can help you maintain healthy vision.

Following just these two steps will drastically reduce your risk of vision problems and blindness due to diabetes. You’ll also feel better, both physically and emotionally. A common misconception about diabetes is that its symptoms are completely physical. Most symptoms are physical, but anxiety, dementia and psychosis are also symptoms of uncontrolled blood sugar. As frightening as the disease may seem, diabetes is treated easily and if caught early on, doesn’t have to be a terrifying prospect.

If vision degenerates badly, there is still hope. Combined with proper blood sugar control, laser vision offers diabetics hope in retaining their eyesight despite complications with diabetes. Other vision complications from diabetes exist as well, including macular edema, glaucoma and cataracts. These can all be caught and treated before they do significant damage as long as you receive your regularly scheduled eye exams.

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