Can Diabetes Damage Our Eyes?

Many people don’t understand how diabetes can cause eye problems, yet it is the biggest cause of blindness in people above the age of 20.

Diabetes can lead to various health issues, but eye problems can be some of the most disabling. 

So what types of eye problems do diabetes cause? And how can we fix them? Let’s find out…

1. Blurry Vision

Most people’s first instinct is to get tested for a pair of glasses or contact lenses as soon as they notice their vision is becoming a bit blurry. However, this might turn out to be a case of treating the symptoms rather than the root cause of the problem. Oftentimes it is constant levels of high blood sugar that results in this blurry vision.

How to fix it… The key is to tackle the problem at its core cause, which is a high blood sugar level. To correct it, you will need to get your blood sugar back to a “normal” level, which is in the range of 3.8 – 7.2mmol/L, before meals, and less than 10mmol/L an hour or two after a meal.

It may take up to 3 months for your vision to completely get back to normal.

Although high blood sugar levels are often the cause of blurry vision, we still recommend that you speak to an eye doctor as he/she will be able to tell you in case it is a symptom of an even more serious problem.

2. Cataracts

Cataracts are formed when debris clouds up the lens of the eye, making it difficult for the eyes to focus. The two main symptoms of cataracts are blurred vision and glare.

Although anybody can get cataracts, it is far more common amongst people who suffer from diabetes, and it may often develop into a big issue much faster.

How to fix it…  Surgery is needed to remove a cataract. This typically means that the doctor replaces the cloudy lens with an artificial one.

3. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition where pressure builds up in the eye because liquids cannot drain as they should. The most common form of glaucoma is known as open-angle glaucoma. In these cases, medication can usually be used to reduce the liquid in the eye and in doing so relieve some of the pressure.

This type of glaucoma often does not cause any symptoms early on, but this means that by the time symptoms become noticeable it may have caused major vision loss. The best way to pick it up early on is by going for an annual exam.

With less common forms of glaucoma, you might notice:

• • • Headaches
    • Eye aches or pain
    • Blurred vision
    • Watery eyes
    • Halos around lights
    • Vision loss

How to fix it… Treatment may include medicine and special eye drops. Surgery and laser treatments can help with drainage in severe cases such as neovascular glaucoma, where extra blood vessels grow on the iris (Coloured part of the eye).

4. Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a result of damage caused to the small blood vessels in the retina, due to high sugar levels in the bloodstream. If this is not spotted early on, it can lead to blindness.

It becomes increasingly more likely as well as more dangerous the longer you have diabetes –especially if you do not manage it properly.

How to fix it… People who keep their blood sugar levels under control during diabetes are less likely to develop diabetic neuropathy, as long as they keep managing their blood sugar levels correctly. The same goes for treating it in case you have already developed it – keep your blood sugar levels under control!

5. Background retinopathy

Maculopathy and proliferative retinopathy are slightly different forms of diabetic neuropathy, but should be treated with just as much care!

Maculopathy:

This is damage to the macula, a critical area of your retina and it can severely affect your vision.

Proliferative retinopathy:

It happens when cells at the back of your eye don’t get enough oxygen and new blood vessels to start to grow.

Since these are new blood vessels, they can easily break open, bleed, and lead to a clot. This can cause scars and pull your retina away from the back of your eye. If it gets detached, you may have vision loss that can’t be fixed.

How to fix it…Sometimes there is no treatment for this, but in other cases, surgery is an option. If it is caught early, a laser procedure that burns away the blood vessels can save your vision. It can prevent blindness in up to half the people with early retinopathy.

The Need for Eye Exams

Eye checkups should be done at least once a year, as they are your best bet at finding eye problems early on. This means that if one is to develop, it can be fixed at a stage where it is still relatively easy and less dangerous. If you might get pregnant in the near future, get an eye exam to avoid possible problems. Keep them up while you’re pregnant, too.

When to visit the Doctor URGENTLY

These symptoms can signal an emergency:

• Black spots in your vision
• Flashes of light
• “Holes” in your vision
• Blurred vision

Treating the root cause of diabetic eye problems: 

The root cause of diabetic eye problems is, well, diabetes. And how can we treat diabetes naturally in order to prevent or treat these eye problems? 

With the right lifestyle changes, it is possible to bring your blood sugar levels back to normal.

Eating healthy foods –

Low in fat, low calorie, but high fibre foods are the best option.

Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Make sure to strive for variety to help you achieve your goals without compromising taste or nutrition. Download the free Manna Diet e-Book for all the info, menu plans and recipes to help you achieve your weight loss goal.

Getting enough of the right exercise –

Aim for at least 30 to 60 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week. Don’t let more than two days go by without some exercise because exercise is one of the best ways to control blood sugar levels and enhance blood circulation.

You don’t have to spend hours on end in the gym; just taking a brisk daily walk, riding your bike, swimming a few laps already goes a long way. If you can’t fit in a long workout, break it up into smaller sessions that you spread throughout the day.

We recommend including resistance training, such as weightlifting, twice a week.

Manna Blood Sugar Support for Diabetes

Follow the Manna Diet for an easy-to-use diet and taking Manna Blood Sugar Support with each meal can help to regulate blood sugar levels in such a way as to suppress appetite and curb cravings.

When taken with food, the organic fibres and essential sugars is Manna Blood Sugar Support has a gelling effect, slowing down the release of glucose from the food to the bloodstream. When blood sugar levels are under control, the body’s requirement for insulin will be less and therefore high insulin levels can reduce over time.

Healthy blood sugar levels can help to curb cravings, suppress appetite and it can also help to prevent diabetes health complications.

Manna Blood Sugar Support is the only certified organic blood sugar support supplement in the world.

Manna Blood Sugar Support is 100% organic & natural and works in a unique way by slowing down the absorption of glucose from the food you eat by up to 43%.
In other words, Manna Blood Sugar Support reduces the GI of the food you eat by up to 43%.