OPTIMIZE YOUR HEALTH
Protecting Your Vision

Protect Your Vision With Blood Glucose Control
By Sharon Hardy, RD, CDE

If you or someone you love has pre-diabetes or diabetes, you should know how to decrease the risks of developing eye complications. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in American adults. Diabetic retinopathy is a general term for all disorders of the retina caused by diabetes. There are two major types of retinopathy: nonproliferative and proliferative. Other eye disorders common in diabetic patients are glaucoma and cataracts. Diabetes patients should make sure to have a dilated eye exam yearly.

Several factors influence your risk for eye problems. These include blood glucose control, your blood pressure levels, how long you have had diabetes and your genes. One of the best ways to protect your vision if you are diabetic is to do everything in your power to control your blood glucose levels. Recommended blood glucose goals are 90 – 120 mg/dl before meals and less than 170 mg/dl one hour after meals. Patients who keep their blood sugar levels closer to normal are less likely to have eye problems. In order to have the most accurate information, patients should practice blood glucose self-monitoring daily and have a hemoglobin A1C test every 6 months. If your blood glucose levels are consistently out of range, you should let your physician know immediately.

If you are newly diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes, you should see a dietitian right away and then follow-up on a regular basis until your blood glucose is in tight control. If you have already seen a registered dietitian, you may want to make another appointment to review your diet and learn what changes may be helpful in controlling your blood glucose. Making dietary changes is the cornerstone in diabetes care and making lasting changes usually takes time.

—August 2007

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