Those suffering from Type 2 diabetes are at risk of being afflicted by certain eye diseases. This group of diseases includes diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. Diabetic eyes are most commonly observed in working-age patients and are known to be the leading cause of blindness in such patients. Such diseases can be avoided by taking certain precautions. In this article, we talk about the effects of diabetic eyes and foods that aggravate such issues.
Warning signs
Some early warning signs to look for when suspecting diabetic eye disease are,
Floating spots
If you observe random floating spots in your field of vision, either intermittently or continuously, these symptoms are possible signs of diabetic retinopathy or diabetic eye disease. Floating spots occur as a result of the damage caused to the blood vessels that supply nutrition to the eye as a result of high sugar.
Blurred vision
Blurred vision is another common symptom that can indicate the beginning of diabetic eye disease in people. Such a symptom is the result of leaking blood vessels as a result of which, the fluid in the eye becomes cloudy, leading to blurriness. Sometimes, blood vessels may also leak into the central area of the retina called the macula, leading to extremely blurred vision.
Loss of peripheral vision
Some diabetes patients may also experience loss of peripheral vision as a result of glaucoma. Such an issue causes a fluid build-up in the front chamber of the eye. Severe loss of peripheral vision is termed tunnel vision.
Foods to avoid
Certain largely affect your blood sugar level and worsen diabetic retinopathy in certain people. Some such foods to be avoided are,
White processed foods
White rice, white bread, white flour, and pasta contain fewer fibers as compared to whole foods. These foods slow down the absorption of sugar as well as increase blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Such effects can also largely affect brain functionalities and may lead to diabetic eye disease.
Fruits rich in sugar
Certain foods contain a higher concentration of sugars compared to others. While fruits are still better sources of sugar as compared to artificially sweetened foods, consuming large amounts of such foods could affect blood sugar levels of Type 2 diabetes patients. Thus, diabetics must avoid fruit juices, dried fruits, high-sugar fruits, and fruit-flavored foods to maintain healthy blood sugar levels and manage diabetic retinopathy or diabetic eye disease.