How to Reduce Diabetic Eye Pressure

Diabetics can suffer from several different eye problems that stem from elevated blood sugar levels. Glaucoma is one such condition. Glaucoma is characterized by a buildup of pressure in the eye. The retina and optic nerve sustain damage as blood flow is reduced by increasing pressure, and eventually vision becomes impaired or is lost. Glaucoma can happen to anyone, but diabetics are 40% more likely to suffer from this disorder. Unfortunately, the longer someone has diabetes, the more likely he is to develop glaucoma.

Instructions

Prevention and Management

• 1

  Maintain proper blood sugar levels. Consistently high blood sugar levels can damage the cells in your eye's drainage system. When the cells are damaged, it becomes difficult for fluids to drain from the eye, and pressure can build and cause damage to the blood vessels and the optic nerve. This will eventually lead to vision loss.

• 2

  Maintain proper blood pressure levels of less than 120/80. According to an article published by the University of Maryland Medical Center, high blood pressure may be a contributing factor to the development of glaucoma.

• 3

  Visit your eye doctor regularly. Glaucoma can develop without the noticeable symptoms. It is critical to undergo regular exams to determine the health of your eye and catch potential problems early.

• 4

  Take prescribed medications for diagnosed glaucoma. The medications are designed to reduce the pressure in your eye and prevent vision loss. Medications can include: alpha agonist; beta blockers; carbonic anhydrase inhibitors; prostaglandin analogs; Cholinergic (miotic) or combined medications which pair alpha agonist and beta blockers; or beta blocker and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

• 5

  Undergo surgery to relieve eye pressure if prescribed medications are not sufficient. Laser treatment is typically the first type of surgery suggested, followed by filtering microsurgery. Filtering microsurgery is usually only done if the eye pressure is extremely high, or if the drainage accomplished through the laser surgery was not enough to relieve eye pressure.