Eye Care for People With Diabetes

Eye care is especially important for people with diabetes because they are at increased risk of developing eye complications from the disease. Blindness is 20 times more common in people with diabetes.

All people with diabetes should take precautions to help reduce their risk of developing eye problems. Here are some eye care tips.

1. Schedule regular appointments with your eye doctor so that any eye problem can be detected early and treated.
2. Maintain control of your blood glucose levels.
3. Keep your blood pressure in control. High blood pressure by itself can lead to eye disease, so if you have high blood pressure as well as diabetes, it is especially important that you take steps to control both conditions.
4. Eat a healthy diet.
5. Avoid smoking.
6. Exercise regularly.

When Should I Call the Eye Doctor?

You should make an appointment to see your eye doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Blurring of vision
• Black spots
• Flashes of light

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute.

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Edited by Charlotte E. Grayson, MD, WebMD, October 2004.

Last Editorial Review: 6/21/2005