(NC) While those diagnosed with diabetes are quick to change their eating habits and incorporate more exercise into their day-to-day regimen, there are additional precautions that should be taken to protect our most important asset: our eyes.
Those who have been diagnosed with diabetes are at a heightened risk for visual impairment as a result of Diabetic Retinopathy, an eye disease that can lead to other blinding ocular complications if not immediately treated. All people with diabetes (both Type 1 and Type 2) are at risk.
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Eye exams are key to catching this disease in the early stages, since the disease often has no symptoms in its early stages. In a time where one in four Canadians are currently living with diabetes, undiagnosed diabetes, or prediabetes, the Canadian Ophthalmological Society recommends everyone schedule regular eye exams.
Be on the lookout for common symptoms, such as blurry vision, vision that often changes from blurry to clear, seeing dark areas in your field of vision or suddenly seeing a web or hundreds of floaters in your field of vision.
Diabetic Retinopathy is the most common eye disease, as it currently affects more than 500,000 Canadians. While it can come with serious implications, the risk of eye damage can be reduced with blood sugar control, regular eye exams and early treatment.