Have you been told you have diabetes? Did the news shock you? Many people get told they have diabetes before they even know they have a problem!
Let’s look at some early signs and what we need to do to manage this disease.
Some signs that happen in early diabetes are:
Drinking more water
Going to the toilet more often
Losing weight without doing anything to lose weight.
A lot of people ignore these signs as they think the reason, they are going to the toilet more often is because they are drinking more often. And then also who doesn’t like to lose weight?
However, diabetes is a lifelong disease and needs to be treated with respect. Diabetes can cause you to lose your vision and your life!
Changes due to diabetes can creep up on you and then bang suddenly you start having eye problems, kidney problems, and heart problems.
A healthy diet, exercise, regular checking of your sugar levels and regular eye exams are 4 easy steps to help you look after yourself!
A healthy diet doesn’t need to be boring! We need to cut down on the amount of carbohydrates or starchy foods. There is nothing bad in having an occasional mango or ice cream once it is done in moderation!
When we are told we need to exercise, we sometimes think we need to go round and round and round the Savannah but walking around your house, going up and down stairs and 5 minutes on a tread mill are all types of exercise! Something is better than nothing!
When was the last time you checked your sugar level?
If you have diabetes this must be checked regularly. The body cannot cope with big swings in sugar levels, and this will cause a lot of changes in your eyes and your body. Having a high sugar level for too long will also cause damage.
Do you know what your sugar level should be?
A random sugar level should be between 80-130mg/dL. Anything over 200mg/dL is very concerning!
Regular eye exams have been shown to prevent major sight loss due to diabetes. Unfortunately, the longer you are diabetic the more at risk you are to have changes in your eyes due to diabetes, even more so if we do not control our sugar levels. By taking photos of the back of your eye, these changes can be monitored.
If these changes are not picked up on time, it could mean long and expensive surgery to stop your eyes from getting worse. As they said prevention is better than cure!
We know that trying to control diabetes can be frustrating and annoying and that is why at The Optometric Centre we have added extra time to our diabetic eye examinations to use our high technology to check your eyes and spend time with you discussing how we can help you achieve better control over this disease.
To us, you are a patient with diabetes, not a diabetic patient! Don’t let this disease control your life, we want you to control it!
We are here to support you in your journey! Book an appointment today!
💡 Clinical Guidance
"Patients with diabetes should have regular comprehensive eye exams, including retinal photos, to detect early changes. Controlling blood sugar, maintaining a balanced diet, and staying physically active reduce the risk of diabetic eye disease. Even small lifestyle adjustments—like walking, taking stairs, or limiting starchy foods—help. Early intervention prevents complex treatments and preserves vision. Regular monitoring and proactive care are essential for long-term health and eye protection."
Reviewed by EyeCare360 Optometrists
Professional clinical guidance and patient education provided by licensed Optometrists in Trinidad & Tobago.
Our Clinical Standards →