Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Diabetes and Your Eyes

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1 Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Diabetes and Your Eyes

2 Diabetes and Your Eyes A person with diabetes is at risk for developing diabetic eye disease, the leading cause of blindness in young and middle-aged adults today. Diabetic eye disease may include diabetic retinopathy (damage to the blood vessels in the retina), cataracts (clouding of the eye s lens), or glaucoma (increase in fluid pressure inside the eye that leads to optic nerve damage and loss of vision). There is a lot you can do to take charge and prevent such problems. Diabetic eye disease may be present even if your vision is normal and you have no pain. If you have diabetes, we recommend that you get a dilated eye exam with your ophthalmologist at least once a year. High blood glucose can damage your eyes as time goes by. The longer you have diabetes, the greater your risk of developing diabetic eye disease. More frequent eye examinations may be necessary after eye disease is diagnosed. Prevention is Everything Know Your ABCs: A Hemoglobin A1C test for average Blood Glucose This is a blood test that your medical doctor checks regularly to measure the overall control of your diabetes. The A1C is the most important test to prevent diabetes damage to the eye, heart and kidneys. Ask what your number is at your next appointment. Keep your hemoglobin A1C under 7. B Blood pressure Controlling blood pressure reduces your risk of diabetic eye disease as high blood pressure can damage your eyes. Make sure your blood pressure is under 130/80. C Cholesterol Keep your total cholesterol number below 200.

3 Healthful Hints Quit smoking. Get a dilated eye exam once a year. Have your ophthalmologist examine your eyes once a year. Finding eye problems early and getting treatment right away will help prevent more serious problems later on. Reach and stay at a healthy weight. Choose high-fiber, low-fat foods such as vegetables, lentils, beans and whole grains. Eat more fish and chicken. Avoid juice, soda, candy, and fried or oily foods. If you want help on planning meals, ask your internist to recommend a nutrition professional. Take your medicines as prescribed by your doctor. Monitor your blood sugar daily. Keep your daily blood sugar less than 140. If it is not under this number most days, tell your internist or endocrinologist so that your medications can be adjusted. Do not wait until your next appointment. Call your ophthalmologist immediately if you are having any vision problems or if you have had a sudden change in your vision. If you see sudden streaks of black or red, or if you feel as if a curtain has been pulled over part of what you are looking at, go to the ophthalmologist immediately. Do not wait for your next appointment. Get regular physical activity. 30 minutes a day can help prevent disease, and 60 minutes a day can help you loose weight.

4 For More Information The Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine has useful classes on managing your diabetes. Call for a schedule. To find a dietician near you, call the American Dietetic Association at or visit and click on Find a registered dietician. To Schedule An Appointment To schedule an appointment with a Bascom Palmer ophthalmologist, please call Appointments may also be requested online at: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute s Emergency Department in Miami is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For more information on diabetes or diabetic eye disease, visit the American Diabetes Association at or the National Eye Institute at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine is proud to be America s best eye hospital according to U.S. News & World Report.

5 Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (800) Miami 900 N.W. 17th Street, Miami, FL (305) Palm Beach Gardens 7101 Fairway Drive, Palm Beach Gardens, FL (561) Naples 311 9th Street North, Naples, FL (239) Plantation 1000 South Pine Island Road, Plantation, FL (954) DIA 06/10