5 tips that may help reduce vision loss for people living with diabetes
For millions of Americans living with diabetes, vision loss can be a real concern — and one that may often be overlooked. Diabetic retinopathy, the most common diabetes-related eye disease, is the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults.1
In fact, people with diabetes are 25 times more likely to experience blindness than those without the disease. That said, 90% of diabetes-related vision loss is preventable with early detection and treatment. And yet, nearly 60% of people who have diabetes do not get annual eye exams.1
“Diabetes affects more than just blood sugar — it can quietly harm the delicate blood vessels in the eyes, sometimes leading to serious vision problems, including blindness,” said Dr. Premilla Banwait, vice president of clinical programs at UnitedHealthcare Vision. “The encouraging news is that most diabetes-related vision loss can be prevented. With routine eye exams and healthy daily habits, people living with diabetes can take simple, proactive steps to protect their eyesight for the long term.
Here are 5 ways that may help prevent diabetes-related vision loss
1. Schedule regular dilated eye exams:
A dilated eye exam allows providers to detect early signs of diabetic retinopathy and other complications before they appear. These exams are essential. Early detection may help or prevent vision issues from getting worse.
2. Prioritize preventive care:
Staying on top of your diabetes management plan is critical. That means regular visits with your primary care provider, consistent monitoring of blood glucose levels and following prescribed treatments. These visits can help identify early warning signs of complications that could affect your vision. For example, uncontrolled blood sugars can damage the tiny blood vessels in your retina, which can lead to diabetic retinopathy and potentially vision loss.2
3. Maintain physical activity:
Exercise can help regulate blood sugar levels, which in turn may help to reduce the risk of damage to the blood vessels in your eyes.
4. Focus on nutritious foods:
A balanced diet3 rich in non-starchy vegetables, fruits, lean proteins and whole grains — and low in saturated fats and added sugars — can help stabilize blood sugar and reduce inflammation.
5. Avoid harmful habits:
Smoking4, for example, can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 40%. Because nicotine increases blood sugar, smoking also makes managing diabetes more challenging. People who smoke and have diabetes are more likely to experience health complications like vision loss and heart disease.
The number of Americans with diabetes-related retinopathy is expected to grow to nearly 15 million by 2050.5 UnitedHealthcare Vision and Prevent Blindness are working together to educate people living with diabetes about the critical importance of maintaining eye health to help reduce preventable diabetes-related vision loss. As part of these efforts, Dr. Premilla Banwait has been appointed to the new Prevent Blindness Diabetes + the Eyes advisory committee, focused on helping expand education, improve access to eye care and more.
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