Mumbai, 7 Nov 2016 (GPN) : Diabetes is one of the chronic diseases when the body is not able to control sugar properly. Diabetes can affect many parts of the body, but it can make some serious damage to the eyes like it weakens the vision and the overall eye health. This year’s theme focuses on the importance of screening to ensure early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and treatment to reduce the risk of serious complications. Irrespective of the type, Diabetics are at high risk of developing several eye diseases like retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts. Hence, it becomes all the more important for diabetics to take special care of their eyes.

The fluctuation in blood sugar levels damages the blood vessels that supply blood to the eyes. The images or the colors seem blurry and it also causes the retina to swell. The condition can worsen and might even lead to blindness if not taken proper preventive steps. Glaucoma also grows with the age.

Some of the symptoms of diabetic eye diseases are:

1.    Blurry vision

2.    Dark or blank spots in the vision

3.    Pain in the eyes

4.    Difficulty seeing through corner of the eyes

Mr. Amol Naikawadi, Preventive healthcare specialist, Indus Health Plus, “Diabetes is one of the most dreaded ailments in India and affects people at large. We all have heard about amputation of feet due to diabetes, but eye damage is a relatively new and a growing phenomenon in many diabetic patients. Diabetes is not curable but definitely controllable when taken proper care. We are consistently trying to spread the awareness and therefore trying to make it imperative for one and all to invest in healthy living and a preventive health check-up before it’s too late.”

It is very necessary to follow strict steps for a Diabetic eye patient to protect himself from further damage. Following are the steps to prevent eye damage from Diabetes:

1.    Habits: By adopting eye protection habits like wearing sunglasses when in sun, regularly washing eyes, eating fruits that improve the vision will help to lower the diseases

2.   Diet: One should start taking nutrition rich diet like leafy greens vegetables and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids which helps in protecting overall eye health

3.   Keeping sugar in control: By keeping the sugar in control and by improving blood glucose numbers, will help to lower the risk of retinopathy. Also, one should keep the blood pressure in check because high BP can lead to the damage in blood vessels of retina

4.    Stop Smoking: Smoking affects the tiny blood vessels in the eyes and increases pressure in the eyes that can lead to nerve damage. It also leads to many other risks in the body. Quitting smoking is one of the top priorities to protect eyes

5.    Eye check up: One should go for a regular check up to an ophthalmologist to begin the treatment and for detailed examination. Basis of the test, doctor will suggest the number of times one should see the doctor for an eye check up

6.    Exercising: Regular exercise will help maintain the sugar levels and also helps in maintain the cholesterol in control. Physical activity is also good for vision. It will definitely help in controlling the diabetic eye disease

Article contributed by Mr. Amol Naikawadi, Preventive Healthcare Specialist, Indus Health Plus