How Do You Control Diabetic Retinopathy?

Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in Diabetes on November 30, 2021

Did you know that diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults in the country? Are you aware of all the different ways diabetes can impact your health?

If you have diabetes, it is crucial to take care of your eye health. This means getting regular eye exams to track and catch changes to your vision or eye health early.

One of the conditions that can develop if you have diabetes is diabetic retinopathy. Keep reading to learn more about how you can control diabetic retinopathy

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

 Diabetic retinopathy or DR is the most common diabetic eye disease. It impacts the eye’s retina and the small blood vessels that carry fluid and nutrients to it.

The retina is a thin sheet of light-sensitive tissue in the back of your eye. It senses and reacts to light and sends that light down your optic nerve to your brain using nerve impulses.

DR can cause the blood vessels in the retina to leak blood or eye fluid. It can also cause fragile blood vessels and scar tissue to develop on your retina.

For people with diabetes, diabetic retinopathy is the number one cause of vision loss. One of the most significant problems diabetics experience is managing blood sugar levels.

Having high blood sugar levels is incredibly damaging to your body. It is what causes damage to the small blood vessels in your retina. 

What Can You Do to Control Diabetic Retinopathy?

There is no cure for DR, just as there is no cure for diabetes. But, you can manage it, so it does not take your eyesight.

By following the below recommendations, you give yourself a chance to keep your sight.

Maintain Your Blood Sugar Levels

Keeping blood glucose low is critical for keeping your body healthy. The easiest way to keep your blood sugar low is to eat less sugar.

Also, avoid foods with simple carbohydrates and get regular exercise. Finally, tracking your blood sugar level helps you control it.

Manage Your General Health

One of the most important things to do for diabetes is managing your overall health. This includes a healthy diet and exercise tailored to your level of fitness.

It also includes:

  • Taking any prescribed medications like insulin
  • Managing other health conditions
  • Keeping blood pressure at healthy levels
  • Quitting smoking
  • Reducing bad cholesterol levels 

You can help your body manage diabetes by making it do less work to keep you healthy. Controlling the various conditions and diseases you may have goes a long way for general health.

Maintain a Healthy Diet

Cooking meals yourself with fresh ingredients, including fresh vegetables, is beneficial. Also, avoid foods with lots of sugar and carbohydrates and fried foods.

These foods can spike your blood sugar and exacerbate inflammation. Diet is one of the simplest ways to take control of your health.

Quit Smoking

Smoking is terrible for you in all ways. If you have diabetes and smoke, it increases your chances of developing other diseases.

One of the simplest ways to remain healthy is to stop smoking. If you smoke, cataracts, glaucoma, as well as diabetic retinopathy are more likely.

Get Regular Comprehensive Eye Exams

Getting annual or more frequent eye exams is vital for keeping your eyes healthy. They help your eye doctor diagnose and treat conditions early.

Early treatment is key to preventing vision loss. Stick to the schedule your eye doctor recommends, so your eyes can stay healthy.

Do you need a comprehensive eye exam? Getting frequent eye exams is the best way to keep your eyes healthy and detect any changes early.

Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR. Diabetes is a severe disease, don’t let it take your eyesight!


We Are Here For You
The safety of our patients, team members and our community is the highest priority at EyeHealth Northwest. Learn more about measures we are taking to keep you safe and what to expect during your visit.
learn more
Schedule an Appointment
Patient Portal
Pay Bill
contact us
Employment Opportunities
Review Us

Our Locations

Aloha
18345 SW Alexander St,
Suite A
Aloha, OR 97003
(503) 642-2505 see more
Glisan
6701 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 255-2291 see more
Gresham
24601 SE Stark St.
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 255-2291 see more
Hillsboro
6111 NE Cornell Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 846-9400 see more
Lake Oswego
9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-2551 see more
Milwaukie
11086 SE Oak St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 656-4221 see more
Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100 (1rst floor)
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
12050 SE Stevens Rd, Suite 100
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Westside Surgery Center
13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more
EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center
12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more

Our Locations

Aloha
18345 SW Alexander St,
Suite A
Aloha, OR 97003
(503) 642-2505 see more
Glisan
6701 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 255-2291 see more
Gresham
24601 SE Stark St.
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 255-2291 see more
Hillsboro
6111 NE Cornell Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 846-9400 see more
Lake Oswego
9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-2551 see more
Milwaukie
11086 SE Oak St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 656-4221 see more
Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100 (1rst floor)
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
12050 SE Stevens Rd, Suite 100
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Surgery Centers

Westside Surgery Center

13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more

EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center

12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more