Vim & Vigor - Fall 2010 - North Mississippi - (Page 17)

You’re in Control Nonproliferative Retinopathy “The most significant diabetic eye disease is diabetic retinopathy, which occurs when the blood vessels in the retina become damaged,” says Abdhish R. Bhavsar, M.D., a retina surgeon and clinical correspondent for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. There are two main types of diabetic retinopathy: nonproliferative and proliferative. Your risk of developing retinopathy increases the longer you have diabetes. With nonproliferative retinopathy, capillaries in the retina balloon, blocking blood vessels. As more blood vessels become blocked, fluid can leak into the macula, the part of the eye responsible for focusing. Swelling in the macula, or macula edema, can cause blurred vision or complete vision loss. Fortunately, laser surgery can halt vision loss at this stage. Symptoms to look out for: Usually no symptoms early on; then blurred vision, distortion or waviness in vision. The key to preventing diabetic eye diseases, as well as other diabetes complications, is controlling your condition. “Diabetes requires continual attention and adjustments in its components of care,” McLaughlin says. Be vigilant about taking your medication, eating right and getting plenty of exercise. Work with your doctor to develop a plan of attack you can stick to. After all, life is full of extraordinary sights. And you don’t want to miss any of them. Don’t Lose Sight Having diabetes doesn’t have to mean suffering vision loss. To prevent or delay the onset of diabetic eye diseases, follow these tips from Bill Brawner, M.D., an ophthalmologist with Tupelo Eye Clinic. Control blood glucose levels. “The most important and significant method to reduce the onset and progression of retinopathy is to control blood sugar levels,” he says. Take your medication as prescribed. Schedule regular eye exams. Not all eye diseases produce symptoms in their early, most treatable stages. Have a dilated eye exam at least once a year. Maintain a healthy diet. Along with medication, eating a balanced diet will help you maintain blood sugar levels. Monitor blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause eye damage, so work to keep yours under control. Proliferative Retinopathy Left untreated, nonproliferative retinopathy can progress years later into the more serious proliferative retinopathy. “Bad blood vessels begin to grow in the retina in response to the inadequate blood flow to the retina,” Bhavsar says. “The abnormal new blood vessels cause bleeding in the eye and may cause scar tissue to grow, which can lead to vision loss or retinal detachment.” Laser surgery is an option, but retinal reattachment is successful only about half the time. Symptoms to look out for: Usually no early symptoms; then floaters, shadows or curtains across your vision. iNTErACTivE More than 20 million Americans have diabetes and many more are at risk. Visit nmhs.net/diabetes_treatment_ center.php and click “Take the Self Risk Assessment” to determine if you have the signs of diabetes. Check Your Risk Vim & Vigor · FAL L 2010 17  http://www.nmhs.net/diabetes_treatment_center.php http://www.nmhs.net/diabetes_treatment_center.php

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Fall 2010 - North Mississippi

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2010 - North Mississippi
Contents
Opening Thoughts
Lean On Me
Inside Look
What’s in Your Medicine Cabinet?
See the Future
The Female Factor
Take a Bite Out of Stress
Starring Role
Shouldering the Pain
Train Your Brain
What Now?
Choose Your Own Adventure
Community Report
Catch the Spirit

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2010 - North Mississippi

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