Diabetic Retinopathy: 5 Tips to Lower Your Risk

Diabetic retinopathy, the most common form of diabetes-related eye disease, is the leading cause of blindness in working-age Americans. It’s also preventable.

November is National Diabetes Month and Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month. It’s a good time to focus on managing your diabetes to help prevent vision loss from diabetic retinopathy:

Get a yearly comprehensive dilated eye exam
Keep your blood sugar levels as close to your target range as possible
Eat healthy food and be physically active
Quit smoking (or never start)
Visit your eye doctor if you notice any changes in your vision

Diabetic retinopathy may not have any symptoms in the early stages, so be sure to get an eye exam every year to catch it early if it develops. Early detection and timely treatment work best! In our latest feature, find out more about what you can do to keep your eyes healthy.