Central Peninsula Hospital | Pulse | Spring 2021

Standard U.S. Postage PAID WallaWalla,WA Permit No. 44 Need a PCP? Ours are accepting new patients. See page 3 for details. Staying on top of your blood sugar level when you have diabetes is important for many reasons, including this one: It can help protect your eyesight. People with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes face an increased risk for several types of eye disease, including: ● Cataracts, which cause a clouding of the lens of the eye. ● Glaucoma, which is triggered by an increase in fluid pressure in the eye and can lead to vision loss. ● Diabetic retinopathy, which damages the blood vessels in the retina. This eye disease is the No. 1 cause of blindness in Americans ages 20 to 74. But here’s the good news: According to the American Diabetes Association, most people with diabetes only have minor problems with their eyes over time. The key is to keep your blood sugar in a healthy range and get regular checkups with your eye doctor. The earlier any eye problems are found, the earlier treatments can be started. And there are viable treatments for all of these conditions. Focus on these tips To help keep your eyes healthy: ● Have a yearly eye exam. It’s the best way to spot problems early. ● Take your diabetes medications as prescribed by your doctor. ● Get plenty of regular exercise. ● Control your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. ● If you smoke, try hard to quit. Additional source: National Institutes of Health D I A B E T E S See your way to better eye health