Eye health practices for diabetics

Recommendations with regard to eye health practices for diabetics

Approximately one-third of people diagnosed with diabetes may develop diabetic retinopathy and this can be one of the leading causes of blindness in working-age adults.

 

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the small blood vessels of the retina (a layer of light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye).

 

Diabetes is the leading cause of preventable blindness among adults ages 20 to 74, as well as the fifth most common cause of preventable blindness globally. (American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) ) 

Here are some recommendations with regard to eye health practices for diabetics:

  • Visit your eye specialist (ophthalmologist or optometrist) to spot any problems early, avoid any inconvenience in your eye health, and treat it on time.

  • Keep your blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol, in your target range as much as possible. 

  • Work with a dietician or nutritionist to create a food plan. 

  • Preferably stop smoking or reduce its frequency quite a bit.

For those who suffer from diabetes, it is essential to control not only sugars and sweets, but also carbohydrates such as white rice, white potatoes, white bread, and pasta, these foods are rich in carbohydrates and, in addition, have a high glycemic index (that is, they quickly raise the level of sugar in the blood).

High consumption of these foods can be equivalent to eating sweets during the day the sugar will end up raising up your glucose levels.
High consumption of these foods can be equivalent to eating sweets during the day because carbohydrates are made up of sugar molecules.  So the carbohydrates you eat will end up rising up your glucose levels.

An adequate diet and healthy lifestyle habits are essential to promote eye health and delay the onset or progression of diabetic eye diseases

 Here are some food substitutes that are recommended in the industry for people with diabetes to avoid blood sugar spikes.

Food substitutions chart

Watch the following Video where Dr. Ana Juricic points out some recommendations with regard to eye health practices for diabetics Including nutritional tips and substitutions, and much more.

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