If you have diabetes, your view of the world may change if you don’t manage your blood sugar (glucose) levels. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Consistently high glucose is the driving force behind diabetes-related macular edema (DME), a progressive eye disease. The early stages of DME can blur and distort your vision. Eventually, it may cause irreversible loss of central vision. But in many ways, you can manage whether DME escalates as a complication of your diabetes. What can you do to limit damage? Let’s find out from ophthalmologist Ananth Sastry, MD, and diabetes care and education specialist Shannon Knapp, MEd, BSN, RN, Glyco Careglucose metabolism CDCES. Understanding what fuels DME begins with understanding the destructive power of diabetes and hyperglycemia, the medical term for when there’s too much sugar in your blood. Damage occurs throughout your body if blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods of time.
The harm includes the hardening and narrowing of blood vessels - which brings us to your eyes. Microscopic blood vessels serve your retinas, the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. High blood sugar slowly but surely weakens those blood vessels. Eventually, that can lead to leaks. "The retina is like a sponge," explains Dr. Sastry. Given that, preventing DME or slowing down the condition often hinges on your ability to keep glucose levels within a healthy range. "This is why blood sugar management is so important in diabetes care," says Knapp. But there’s no ONE way to manage blood glucose. Many different factors can cause your blood sugar to skyrocket and linger at a higher-than-desired level. "It doesn’t matter how you keep your blood sugar within your target range," notes Knapp. When it comes to DME, consider "heart-healthy" food to be eye-healthy food. Building your daily menu with whole grains, Glyco Careglucose metabolism vegetables, fruits and lean protein can help keep your arteries strong and blood glucose in check, says Knapp.
A meal plan that fits within the Mediterranean diet lines up well with heart and diabetes dietary recommendations. Want to make things really simple? Then try following the "Plate Method" recommended by the American Diabetes Association. 50% with non-starchy vegetables (carrots, broccoli and leafy greens all qualify). 25% with lean protein (this includes fish - which is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids - as well as beef, pork and chicken). 25% with carbohydrate-heavy foods (think beans, butternut squash, various fruits, potatoes and sweet potatoes). It’s best to avoid or limit heavily processed food that’s high in saturated fat. Try to minimize items that are high in sugar and salt, too, as neither will do you any favors when it comes to managing blood sugar and artery health. Diabetes medications can help you manage your blood glucose and protect your vision. Various medications that work in different ways can lower your blood sugar levels, says Knapp.
Understanding exactly what your medication does and taking it as prescribed is key to keeping blood sugar well managed. "Talk to your healthcare provider to stay informed," she advises. Taking action to lower your blood sugar begins with learning that it’s high. That’s why it’s important to have an established monitoring regimen to make decisions about meals, medications and activities. Make sure you’re using one. Regular exercise can help you consistently see lower blood sugar levels that keep your eyes healthy. Fast fact: An individual workout can affect blood glucose for 24 hours! A word of caution, though: Some activities may hit you differently. Checking your glucose before and after exercise can give you a better idea of how your body is responding. Talk with your healthcare provider about what might be safe for you. During stressful times, your body releases adrenaline as part of its "fight-or-flight" response. The rush of this hormone into your bloodstream causes numerous physiological changes - including a boost in blood sugar.