Eye Diseases That a Diabetic Patient Can Suffer From

Do you have diabetes? If yes, then you are at a risk of developing serious eye diseases. High blood sugar can lead to problems like blurry vision, cataracts, glaucoma, and retinopathy. In fact, diabetes is the primary cause of blindness in adults between 20-74 years. Let us look at some eye diseases that result from diabetes.

4 Eye Conditions Related to Diabetes

1) Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)

One of the most serious eye conditions, diabetic retinopathy occurs when the tiny blood vessels present at the back of the eye become blocked and start leaking.

Types of DR

a) Background Diabetic Retinopathy

This doesn’t affect the eyesight but the eyes need to be monitored to ensure that the retinopathy doesn’t worsen.

b) Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

If background diabetic retinopathy gets worse, then many retinal blood vessels get blocked or damaged. If these changes occur over a large area of the retina, then the blood vessels to the retina will be reduced, which the body tries to fix by growing new blood vessels on the retinal surface or into the vitreous gel. However, these new vessels are generally weak and bleed very easily, thus affecting your vision

c) Diabetic Maculopathy

This occurs when the macula is affected by retinopathy. It affects the central vision, which is required to see fine details and color, and makes it blurry.

Causes of DR

The primary cause of this eye disease is chronically high blood sugar from diabetes as it directly damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina.

Symptoms

The early stages usually don’t have any symptoms, which is why the disease progresses unnoticed until it starts affecting your vision.

If the abnormal retina blood cells start bleeding, then it can cause an appearance of ‘floating spots’ in the eye. These spots may be clear on their own but if there is no proper treatment, the bleeding will recur and increase the risk of permanent vision loss.

Treatment

If your eye condition is detected in the early stages, then you will be given a laser treatment. It helps in preventing bleeding or growth of new blood vessels.

Reducing Risk

You can reduce the risk of DR by:

• Controlling the blood glucose levels
• Controlling the cholesterol levels
• Controlling the blood pressure
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Quitting smoking

Get a regular retinal screening as it can help in detecting diabetic retinopathy at an early stage and early treatment will stop you from losing sight. You must have the retinal screenings more often if you’re pregnant and have gestational diabetes. The screenings must be done during your pregnancy and after your baby is born.

2) Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)

This eye disease causes an accumulation of fluid in the macula, which is a part of the retina that controls our detailed vision abilities, due to the leaking of blood vessels. You must have diabetic retinopathy in order to have DME. It damages the blood vessels and results in vision impairment. If left untreated, these blood vessels begin to build up pressure in the eye and leak fluid, causing DME.

Causes of DME

High blood sugar is one of the main causes of DME. It can make the blood vessels leak or grow uncontrollably in your retina. DME occurs when the fluids leak into your retina. This leaking will cause the retina to swell, thus hampering the work of your macula.

Symptoms

It usually doesn’t have symptoms, however, you may experience the following:

• Blurry images that are directly in front of you
• Washed out colors

3) Cataract

This occurs when there is clouding or fogging in the otherwise clear lens of the eye. Since the lens allows you to focus and see images clearly, the cataract will cause blurry, cloudy or glazed vision. Cataract can strike anyone but those with diabetes can get cataract at an earlier age than others and the condition will progress more rapidly in diabetic people.

You can treat cataract through a surgery where the cloudy lens is removed or cleaned out and replaced by a clear man-made lens.

4) Glaucoma

Glaucoma damages the eye’s optic nerve. It occurs when fluid builds up in the front part of the eye. This extra fluid builds pressure in the eye and damages the optic nerve and blood vessels, thus affecting the vision.

Symptoms

It does not cause any symptoms until it starts affecting the eyesight and you have major vision loss. However, in the early stages, you can experience headaches, blurred vision, eye aches, watery eyes and halos around a light.

Treatment

The treatment of glaucoma includes medications that can treat open-angle glaucoma. They lower eye pressure, reduce the amount of liquid the eye produces and speeds up the drainage.

Preventive Steps to Take

• If you have type 1 diabetes, you should have a dilated eye exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist within three to five years after diagnosis.
• Those with type 2 diabetes should have a dilated eye exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist shortly after diagnosis.
• Annual eye exams are a must for people suffering from both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. You can make the check-ups more frequent if necessary.
• Women with a history of diabetes considering pregnancy should have an eye exam before and during pregnancy. This does not pertain to women with gestational diabetes.

Make an appointment today with an eye doctor at Insight Vision Center to rule out any eye diseases that may be caused due to diabetes.

7 Common Habits are Probably Damaging Your Eyes

“To change your life, change your habits.”
-Anonymous

Have you ever wondered how some of your seemingly simple and common habits affect your eyes? Like those binge watching sessions of your favorite series late in the night or a quick swimming session with friends without swimming goggles. What’s wrong with relaxing with a good book before sleeping, you might wonder?

Certain habits form a major part of our lifestyle. And gradually they affect our eye health. Listed below are 7 such common habits, which you need to alter or get rid of entirely, to ensure that you maintain a healthy vision:

1. Staring at Screens before Sleeping

Can’t resist checking your smartphone before going to bed? Watching TV late into the night? If these seem familiar, you might be suffering from digital eye strain. Exposing your eyes to digital screens continually and especially before sleeping can lead to hazy vision, dry eyes, nausea and dizziness.

2. Working or Reading under Poor Lighting

Most of the people have the habit of reading late at night. Also, a majority of individuals work in poorly lighted environments. People should be conscious of the lighting levels in their surroundings so as to prevent damage to their eyes. Because, under-lighted settings can cause immense strain on your eyes and this might lead to dryness and irritation.

3. Frequently Rubbing Eyes

Think about how often do you unconsciously rub your eyes; itchy or not. You may be relieved from the itching sensation for a few moments. But the frequent rubbing can cause a lot of damage to your eyes. Firstly, you transfer germs from your hands to the eyes. And secondly, it can lead to wear and tear of cornea and fragile vessels around the eye.

4. Ditching the Protective Eye Wear

A lot of people forget about protective eye wear while playing sports or working with tools, welding machines, etc. For instance, swimmers must never swim without appropriate goggles. Chemicals in water can cause itching, blurred vision and in extreme cases even temporary blindness.

Also, while stepping out in the sun, people often forget to wear sunglasses. Exposure to harmful UV rays can cause Eyelid or Conjunctival cancer, Cataracts, Keratitis or even Corneal burns.

5. Depriving Yourself of Enough Sleep

Apart from several health implications like depression, weight gain, tiredness and decreased immune function, sleep deprivation also affects your eyesight badly. Pain, blurry vision, dry eyes and twitching are some of the adverse effects which you might experience if you don’t get the essential 7-8 hours of sleep at night.

6. Not Quitting Smoking

The chances of health issues related to vision are increased manifolds due to smoking. These include Cataracts, Glaucoma, Dry eye syndrome and Age-related macular degeneration. Those who smoke more and continue it for a long time are even more prone to blindness.

7. Missing Eye Checkups

Numerous people do not go for regular eye checkups. An eye exam can reveal much more than just a change in the eye power. Age, diet, daily activities – there are so many factors affecting your vision. So even if you feel that your vision is normal, you cannot be sure enough unless a professional examines it thoroughly. Many of the eye ailments can be detected in their early stages through periodic eye exams.

If you too are guilty of any or all of the above mentioned unhealthy habits, it’s time you do away with them. Our talented team at InSight Vision Center can help you with any queries and issues regarding eye care. You can also get rid of your glasses or contacts and enjoy a normal vision with the help of our exceptional Lasik services which are safe, reliable and cost-effective. So, make an appointment with us today.

Protect the Vision of Your Little Ones with These Effective Tips

The physical and mental wellness of your children matter the most to you. One of the most important aspects of their physical health is their vision. Be it their diet, their hygiene habits or activities; all of these play an important role when it comes to maintaining and protecting the health of their eyesight.

Hence, we have listed in this article some simple yet valuable ways in which you can protect your child’s vision. Let’s take a look at them:

Watch What They Eat

Eating tantrums are one of the most common traits of childhood. To make sure that the children have a balanced and nutritious diet, you need to be tactful. Find interesting ways to include super foods which promote healthy vision like carrots, spinach and beetroot in their meals. For instance, you can make the plain old carrot more appealing by using it to prepare healthy desserts, colorful sandwiches or even healthy dips. Fruits such as blueberries, mangoes, papaya can be included in fruit salads and smoothies. Eggs can be prepared in multiple ways and are very beneficial for maintaining the health of eyes. You can consult a doctor to know more about the kind of the diet which will help nourish the eyesight of your children.

Encourage Hygienic Habits

Hygiene and children don’t exactly go hand in hand. Due to their playful and carefree nature, they are more likely to have dirty hands all the time. So, it should be ensured that they wash their hands frequently, and don’t touch their eyes with unclean hands. If your kid has an eye infection, special care should be taken to prevent him/her from rubbing eyes with dirty hands. As this would only make the infection worse.

Limit Their Time With Screens

With changing times, children’s preferences have also changed drastically. A majority of kids today would rather choose spending time in front of digital screens instead of playing outdoors in natural surroundings. This addiction of staying glued to the screens, if neglected for long can cause digital eye strain. Family picnics, cycling, outdoor sports and adventurous activities like hiking are some of the many options you can choose to ensure that your child spends less time gazing at those harmful screens.

Teach Them About Poor Vision

You should also educate your children about basics of a healthy vision. For instance, they should know enough to tell when they are unable to see things clearly, or have difficulty in reading or writing, have recurring headaches after concentrating for long durations, can’t tell the difference between colors, have irritated or painful eyes and other such symptoms. As a parent, you are constantly and consciously looking out for these symptoms. But, it’s also important that your child is capable of identifying such changes in his/her vision.

Focus On Vision Development

Visual stimulation is of great importance to nurture and develop your child’s vision. This should be done at an early age. You can introduce your child to different colors, shapes, tasks like sorting, stacking, and even ask your ophthalmologist for other visual aids which can be used for visual stimulation.

Provide Proper Eye Protection

While we all encourage our children to undertake various sports, it is essential to always make sure that they wear appropriate eye protection gear. There are various kinds of protective eye gears available for numerous sports and activities. So keep the eyes of your little ones safe while they play. Also, see to it that none of their toys have pointy ends, and that sharp objects like knife and scissors are out of their reach.

The ways mentioned above will help you protect your child’s vision effectively. Make an appointment with us at Insight Vision Centre, and we will help you learn more about how you can keep your children’s vision, safe and healthy.

6 Effective Ways Aging Professionals Can Maintain A Healthy Eyesight

As you age, your organs tend to lose some of their functionality and become weaker. This also includes your eyes. Weak eyesight, increased susceptibility to eye infections, cataract and glaucoma are some of the most common macular degenerative diseases, as you grow older. Suffering from compromised eyesight is especially a matter of concern for working professionals as it can greatly impact their performance at work. Here are a few preventative measures aging professionals can follow to retain healthy eyesight:

1. Eat Nutritious Meals

   Your eyes require a good balance of vitamins A, C, D & E as well as other essential nutrients like Omega 3 fatty acids, Zinc, Lutein, Zexanthin and Selenium to stay protected from effects of allergens and macular degenerative diseases.

   Apart from carrots, dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, fruits like oranges, kiwi, pumpkins as well as fish and eggs are known sources of the vitamins and nutrients mentioned above. Incorporate these foods in your regular diet to keep your eyesight in good health.

2. Maintain Blood Pressure, Cholesterol and Glucose Levels

   Did you know that cardio-vascular diseases and disorders are known to increase the risk of vision loss? This happens due to the effect they have on the blood vessels in your eyes, which results in retinopathy. In order to avoid such irreversible damage to your eyes, it is important that you take the required medication and precautionary measures to keep your cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure in check.

3. Reduce Exposure to Extreme Lighting

   Your eyes require adequate care and protection when exposed to extremely bright or dim lighting. You need to strain your eyes in poor lighting. On the other hand, your pupils contract when exposed to bright lights and the amount of light entering your eye is then concentrated on the macula tissue, thus causing damage. Both situations can be avoided by wearing protective eyewear appropriate to the situation.

   So, if you are going to be spending a lot of time in the sun, consider wearing 100% UV ray protected sunglasses and a hat to shield your eyes. At work, use anti-glare glasses to reduce the ill-effects of prolonged exposure to digital screens.

4. Use Situation-Appropriate Eyewear

   When you go out in the sun, you protect your skin with sunscreen. Similarly, when you’re at a construction site you wear a helmet and a protective jacket. So, when you step outdoors, why do you tend to forget about your eyes? Your eyes are equally sensitive and require additional care if you want to maintain their health. Remember to put on appropriate eyewear whenever required, so that your eyes are protected against additional stress and/or accidents.

5. Get Enough Sleep and Exercise

   It is advisable to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night in order to maintain the overall mental and physical health including your eyesight. You must also ensure that your body receives some form of regular exercise as that will enhance the production and flow of oxygen in your body, which aids the removal of toxins from your body as well as your eyes, by improving blood circulation.

6. Schedule Regular Eye Checkups

   The importance of regular health check-ups only increases as you grow older. It is done more as a precautionary measure because often the changes in our health go unnoticed by us. However, your doctor will be quick to notice the symptoms or any abnormalities during routine check-ups and will be able to correct the problem ahead of time.

We at Insight Vision Center, have a talented team of eye care specialists to address any of your vision related queries or eye health issues. So, if you wish to know more about maintaining your eye health or have noticed any changes in your vision, don’t ignore the signs and book an appointment with us today.

5 Easy Ways to Care for Your Eyes this Spring

The glorious season of spring is almost here! Most of you shall be gearing up for some fun in the sun. However, many others are finding ways to protect themselves from the effects of seasonal allergies. Various factors such as dust and pollen grains are the usual troublemakers, causing allergic reactions in multiple ways.

But, in order to take preventative measures against such allergies, we first need to be able to identify the symptoms of such allergies to be better prepared. Mentioned below are some of the most common indications of allergic reactions:

• Redness of eyes
• Itching
• Swelling or puffiness
• White discharge from the eyes
• Teary or watery eyes
• Soreness or pain in one or both the eyes

So, how do you avoid suffering from these symptoms without compromising on your fun time in the glorious spring sun? Take a look at these 7 simple yet effective preventative measures that you can take in order to stay allergy-free this spring.

 1. Wear Sunglasses

Since spring calls for a lot of outdoor celebrations, picnics and barbeques, make sure you keep your eyes protected from Sun damage, caused due to the harmful UV rays. Wear sunglasses with 100% UV ray protection and supplement that by using a hat. Doing so will help you protect your eyes as well as your face from direct sunlight.

2. Keep Your Hands & Face Clean

When you’re spending your days outside, it is easy to get your hands dirty. Dust and pollen particles are the prime causes of contamination, as a result of which it is extremely easy to trigger your allergies. It could even be something as simple as lightly rubbing your eyes. That is why it is crucial to keep your face and hands clean at all times.

3. Wear Glasses instead of Contact Lenses

Avoid using contact lenses and use glasses instead, when you plan on staying outside for extended length of time. This is because pollen can build up on your contacts and further irritate your eyes. Glasses make a better alternative as they can shield your eyes from flying particles of pollen and dust.

Pro Tip – You can talk to your doctor about getting polarized lenses for your prescription spectacles. This will give you the dual benefit of protecting your eyes from the harsh glare of the sun and the risk of infection causing contaminants.  

If you find both glasses and contact lenses quite the hassle to handle, then simply opt for a vision corrective procedure such as LASIK! It is the most commonly opted procedure as it is almost pain free, requires negligible recovery time and has zero side effects.

4. Protect Your Eyes from Extreme Activities

Spring calls for outdoor sports, bonfires, barbeques and fireworks! This means increased exposure to extreme heat and smoke, making it even more important to ensure that you are fully protected from the impacts of the same. Keep your distance in case of witnessing or lighting fireworks and open fires, and ensure that you and everyone around you use protective eyewear. Appropriate eye gear is also crucial when playing sports or indulging in other outdoor activities like hiking and swimming.

5. Use an Air Purifier

Allergens like pollen and dust spread quickly and find their way into your homes quite easily. Therefore, in order to keep yourself completely protected from contracting allergies, it is advisable to invest in an air purifier so that you are safe indoors as well.

6. Keep Your Eyes Moist

The sunny days of spring can leave your eyes dry as you venture outside to enjoy the warm weather. Restore the lost moisture of your eyes by applying artificial tear drops that help lubricate the eyes and improve visual comfort
by soothing the ocular surface.

7. See Your Ophthalmologist for a Comprehensive Eye Exam

With the dryness of the spring season at your doorstep, the best way to protect your eyes from itching, irritation and allergies is to have a comprehensive eye exam by an experienced ophthalmologist. He will check your eyes for signs of seasonal allergies and symptoms of other eye conditions. If any changes are identified in your visual health, your ophthalmologist can initiate treatment immediately so that your eyes remain healthy for the rest of the year.

If you still face a lot of difficulties as a result of spring time allergies, book an appointment with Insight Vision Center today. Our dedicated team of experts will guide you in every way possible, with specialized solutions and treatment options!

10 Super Foods which Promote Healthy Vision

Ever thought about eating right for healthy eyes? Yes, our eyes may be the most neglected and strained organ of our body. Hectic work schedules, long hours before lit screens, harsh sun rays – are all adding to the stress of our eyes. But we don’t realize this until major damage is done.

So be wise and begin with the basics to improve the health of your eyes. We have listed 10 super foods which promote healthy vision. These are rich in powerful antioxidants such as vitamin C, carotenoids, alpha-lipoic acid, omega-3 fatty acids etc. All of them work together to protect the retina and lens by absorbing and controlling free radicals, thus shielding your eyes from damage. Read below to know more about the 10 super foods.

1. Berries
Include these sweet, sour and tangy superfoods in your diet and see a marked difference in your vision. Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, which will relax and soothe the swelling of eyes. Other antioxidants present in strawberries help prevent dryness, vision defects and macular degeneration.

Blue berries with their anti-inflammatory, vasoprotective, collagen stabilizing and rhodopsin-regenerating properties, benefit the functioning of your eyes. They strengthen the posterior blood vessels of eyes. The anthocyanins present in blue berries not only prevent blockages in retinal arteries, but also lower high blood pressure. Other berries such as cranberries, blackberries, mulberries etc., also benefit your eyes.

2. Broccoli
The wide-spread dislike for broccoli is well known. Well, it’s time you opened your eyes to its benefits. Broccoli is packed with antioxidants, and carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin. Both these carotenoids act as protective pigments in the back of the eyes.
A vitamin B2 deficiency can lead to eyes which are super sensitive to light, resulting in fatigue, inflammation and hazy vision. Broccoli can help you prevent these problems, as it contains a lot of vitamin B2. Have it in salad or a side dish, or as a snack with a dip.

3. Brussels Sprouts
These are another rich source of vitamin C which eases the inflammation of stressed eyes. Besides, they also contain zeaxanthin, an antioxidant which helps filter out the harmful blue light rays and prevents them from entering the cornea. This helps protect eyes from damage and disorders like macular degeneration. Add some texture to salad with these wonder sprouts or enjoy as a light snack.

4. Carrots
These are easy on your pocket and heavy on the benefits. They are loaded with beta carotene, which is converted into vitamin A by the body. Vitamin A protects vision, prevents night blindness, and maintains a healthy and clear cornea. Salads, smoothies or healthy desserts – there are numerous ways to add carrots in your diet.

5. Chia Seeds
They have high omega-3 fatty acids content as compared to flax seeds or salmon, more calcium than a glass of milk, and more antioxidants than blue berries. Make them a part of your daily diet to reduce the oxidative damage of the lens and retina, and promote the overall health of eyes.

6. Dark Chocolate
Most of us love this delicious super food. For those who don’t, here are some reasons to ditch the regular and pick a dark bar instead. Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids which enhance the blood flow to the eyes. They also help your eyes see better in low light and focus properly in excess bright light, while reducing the strain. Besides, dark chocolate also contains minerals which ensure correct functioning of the optic system.

7. Kale
Kale is rich in vital nutrients and vitamins. The nutrients are crucial for a clear and perfect vision. Moreover, the lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin A, B6 and K help protect the eyes from harmful light rays, contribute to visual development, protect the cornea and strengthen the optical nerve. Kale also provides ample amount of vitamin C. So do not shy away from the greens on the menu! Kale, spinach, mustard leaves, swiss chard, turnips – all of these are must-haves in your diet.

8. Peppers
These are one of the richest sources of vitamin A and C. Both these vitamins help maintain healthy eyesight by preventing night blindness, reverse near and far sightedness and prevent formation of cataracts. The peppers also contain ample amount of vitamin B6, lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene and lycopene. All of these are important for healthy vision.

You can choose from the many varieties of peppers available today. So bake, grill, stir-fry or simply have them raw for maximum benefit.

9. Proteins
Some of the most easily available protein-rich super foods are eggs, salmon, oysters, crab, beef, etc. Eggs are loaded with biotin, lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin A and retinol – the most vital element responsible for maintaining healthy vision. Salmon also has a good amount of retinol and omega 3 fatty acids, both of which are required for maintaining a good eyesight. However, the red meats need to be consumed in moderation.

10. Seeds & Nuts
Give your eyes the advantage of the duo – vitamin C and vitamin E. Both of these together, are great at keeping a tissue healthy and strong. Almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pecans and sunflower seeds are the best sources of vitamin E and zinc. Besides, they are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial to the eyes. So, toss aside your fried snacks and grab these nutritious seeds and nuts instead.

Apart from these, a regular eye check up is essential. Visit us at Insight Vision Center today, and find out more about how you can keep eye ailments at bay and maintain a healthy vision.