A diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes is rapidly increasing throughout the world. This disease is typically preventable and if left untreated can effect your overall health including your eyes. Diabetic eye disease worsens as time passes and can cause eye damage and the ability to see. Conditions that can develop due to diabetes include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is important that you also make an appointment with an ophthalmologist to manage the progression. Contact Grosinger, Spigleman & Grey located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan to schedule an appointment.
Living with Glaucoma
Tips to Help Keep Your Eyes Healthy
Glaucoma is a common eye condition that is often hereditary. It may not appear until later in your life. Pressure builds in the eye that can cause damage to your optic nerve. Those with glaucoma may notice vision loss or even permanent blindness if untreated. The following tips can help you make positive changes after a glaucoma diagnosis.
- Stay Fit with Regular Exercise – Believe it or not, exercise can help you deal with glaucoma. It keeps your blood flowing to the nerves in your eye and can lower pressure. Make sure you choose the best routine for you. Some exercises can increase pressure, so speak to a doctor before getting started.
- Enjoy a Well-Balanced Diet – Eat a well-balanced diet that includes nutritious and antioxidant-filled foods. Some good examples to include are dark, leafy greens and fish with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids.
- Follow Your Doctor’s Orders – Always take your medication as directed. Stick with a schedule and keep your doctor up to date on any changes. Missing a dose can cause glaucoma to get worse, so this is very important once you have a diagnosis.
- Limit Caffeine & Spread Out Fluid Intake – Too much caffeine can increase eye pressure. Limit intake or avoid it altogether. One study conducted revealed that even a single cup of coffee can cause a significant rise in pressure in your eye for as long as an hour and a half. Also, spread out your overall fluid intake throughout the day.
- Don’t Smoke – Nicotine can increase both blood pressure and your eye inflammation. It also has other adverse effects, like increasing your risk of diabetes. Don’t smoke or quit if you currently smoke.
If you have questions about living with glaucoma, talk to an ophthalmologist. Contact Grosinger Spigelman & Grey Michigan’s Leading Eye Care Physicians located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan to make an appointment.
November Is American Diabetes Month
Protect Your Eyes by Managing Blood Sugar Levels
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report that states over 100 million U.S. adults live with diabetes or prediabetes. An estimated 23.1 million were diagnosed, and 7.2 million were undiagnosed per the 2017 report.
Diabetes can raise your risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma. This November, celebrate American Diabetes Month by learning about the condition and finding out how to protect your eyes from its effects.
How to Live with Diabetes
You can live a full life with diabetes. The following tips will help you adopt a lifestyle that will let you stay in control of your blood sugar levels.
- Make sure you get plenty of sleep and eat a nutritious breakfast with a glass of water before you go to work. This will help you prepare for the day with less stress, which can raise blood sugar levels.
- Pay close attention to how your body reacts. This is especially important when exercising, changing diet, and taking medication. It will help you figure out the best way to manage diabetes and make it easier to identify a problem.
- Stay active and maintain healthy body weight. Obesity is closely tied to diabetes. Staying fit will help reduce your risk and manage the condition.
- You can still eat the foods that you like. You will have to watch portions and understand how different foods will affect your blood sugar levels. A dietician can help you come up with a menu you enjoy that’s good for your body.
Get Your Eyes Checked
Staying in touch with your health care team is essential to diabetes management. That includes your eye doctor. Now is a great time to get your vision checked. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey’s Southeast Michigan office today to schedule an ophthalmologist appointment.
Avoiding Eye Strain
For most people, eye strain is an annoyance. It is usually a temporary condition that is easy to correct by resting your eyes. When it happens, it can make you feel tired and reduce your ability to focus.
Symptoms of Eye Strain
The most common side effect of eye strain is blurred vision. This usually goes away once you give your eyes a rest. A number of other uncomfortable symptoms can also appear, including:
- Burning or itching of the eyes
- Dry or watery eyes
- Neck, shoulder, and back soreness
- An increase in light sensitivity
- Inability to keep eyes open
- Headaches
While symptoms are usually mild, they can cause irritation and affect your ability to complete certain tasks. For example, if you drive long distances, eye strain may hinder your ability to concentrate on what’s ahead of you. This can create a safety hazard that should be addressed before getting behind the wheel.
Causes of Eye Strain
A number of activities and behaviors can bring on eye strain. Some of these you probably do every day. Common causes include:
- Staring at digital devices for extended periods of time
- Reading without giving your eyes a break
- Exposure to intense light or glare
- Straining eyes to see in dim settings
- Driving long distances without stopping
- Experiencing stress or fatigue
- Exposing eyes to moving air for a period of time
If you have questions about eye strain or if you experience symptoms that do not go away quickly, you should talk to a professional ophthalmologist. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey Michigan’s Leading Eye Care Physicians located in southeast Michigan to make an appointment.