Our Eye health oftentimes have been thought to be in a class of its own, unaffected by the state of our general health, this is not true!
No wonder you will see a sickly man who is upset that his vision is not the way it should be but is at peace with the fact that his other body parts aren’t functioning well. Such a deception!
Truth, is that the eyes is like a signpost, upon which any health challenge we have, if it’s not managed well or worst case, not paid attention to, comes and leaves a signature of its presence.
The eye as an organ of sight, oftentimes reveals much more about our general health than we are willing to accept. This may be due to its high level of sensitivity (innervations) and function.
Diabetes mellitus is one of the debilitating systemic diseases that never leaves the eyes the way it met it.
A complication of diabetes that affects the eyes is called Diabetic Retinopathy.
This often presents as damages to the blood vessels in the Retina. This happens due to the raised blood sugar levels in the blood.
The major risk factor is the poorly controlled blood sugar.
The complications are such that the condition can be managed but has no cure.
It often starts with symptoms and complaints of blurriness, floaters, dark areas of vision, difficulty perceiving colors, intermittent changing of glass prescription as the Refractive power of the eyes fluctuates just as the blood sugar level fluctuates.
In some cases, the blood vessels in the Retina may swell and leak fluid while in some other cases, new blood vessels known as neovascularization springs up or grows on blood vessels. This new blood vessels simply keep bleeding out all over the Retina, which if the bleeding isn’t made to stop, can lead to blindness.
Therefore, to prevent blindness from occurring, eye surgeons use laser surgery to stop the growth of this anomalous new blood vessels as well as intentional, strict diet adjustment and drug regimen by the patient are enforced.
This will go a long way in helping to stabilize the remaining vision available.
Worthy to mention is the fact that it takes several years for diabetic retinopathy to reach the stage where it threatens the vision of the patients.
Note also, that its rate of progression varies in individuals based on how it’s been managed.
Anti-VEGF drugs are used to slow down or reverse diabetic retinopathy complications to an extent but the best option is to prevent it’s progression via early diagnosis and proper management.
Here are as few tips on how to lower the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy:
* Controlling your blood sugar, keeping it stable.
*Exercise regularly
*Having routine general body check
*Keeping your blood pressure within a healthy range.
*Taking your medications as prescribed.
*Avoid smoking
*Eating healthy
*Having a general healthy lifestyle.
Health is wealth we are told, let’s therefore be rich in paying attention to our general health as poverty has nothing good to offer anyone.