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Healthy foods and lifestyle changes to manage diabetic eye disease

Healthy foods and lifestyle changes to manage diabetic eye disease

Diabetic eye disease, also called diabetic retinopathy, is an eye disorder that mainly occurs when blood vessels in the eyes get damaged due to diabetes. The problem can cause vision loss in both type 1 and type 2 patients in cases where blood sugar is not managed correctly. While medicines are the best diabetic eye treatment, patients can also adopt the following nutrition plan and lifestyle changes to manage the disease better and speed up recovery.

Foods to eat
The following are two healthy foods to eat during diabetic eye treatment:

Leafy greens
Leafy greens are the complete package when it comes to nutrition. Popular options like spinach, collards, turnip, and kale contain vitamin C, essential nutrients, and eye-healthy minerals. Moreover, they have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can help reverse the effects of cellular degeneration caused by conditions like diabetes. Multiple studies show that leafy greens are beneficial in promoting eye health.

Eggs
Eggs are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and provide various health benefits when eaten regularly. They can help improve the body’s sensitivity to inflammation and maintain better cholesterol levels to reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications like diabetic eye disease. Eggs are beneficial for overall eye health as well. Their organic benefits can reduce eye problems triggered by an imbalance in blood sugar levels.

Besides leafy greens and eggs, foods like fatty fish, greens, dairy products, nuts, and seeds can help manage diabetes in general. Maintaining optimum blood sugar levels will automatically aid in diabetic eye treatment.

Lifestyle changes
To reduce the risk of diabetic eye disease and relieve the symptoms, one can practice the following lifestyle changes:

Stay active
Diabetics need to be active in general and not just for good eye health. Cardiovascular exercises can improve blood flow to the optic nerves and the retina, improving overall eye health and reducing the risk of vision problems that are not side effects of medications or treatment.

Quit substances
Smoking or alcohol can increase blood pressure and trigger an imbalance in blood sugar levels. Therefore, quitting the habit can help speed up diabetic eye treatment and be beneficial for eye health in the long run.

Supplements
One can consult with the doctor to understand if taking folic acid or vitamin B12 supplements can help replenish any deficiency during diabetic eye treatment.

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