Imagine waking up one day without your sense of sight. Now imagine that you knew all along what you could have done to prevent it. If you have diabetes, make sure this doesn't happen to you.
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in American adults and according
to the American Diabetes Association, more than 5.3 million Americans are affected by it. Everyone who has diabetes is at risk.
The disease develops due to elevated glucose levels in the blood that react within the capillaries of the retina. This results in swollen, brittle walls that lead to blood leaking into the retina. Gradual vision loss then occurs.
Unfortunately, you hardly see this disease coming. Diabetic retinopathy develops without symptoms or pain, and it usually goes unnoticed until vision loss occurs. From here there's no turning back: Damage is irreversible.
There are ways to significantly reduce your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, however. According to the National Eye Institute, the first step in reducing your risk is having a dilated eye exam at least once a year. It is highly recommended that everyone with diabetes do so.
Major studies have shown that better control of your blood sugar level slows down the onset and the progression of the disease. This can also reduce the need for sight-saving laser surgery.
Controlling elevated blood pressure and cholesterol are important in reducing the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy as well. By doing this you not only reduce your risk of vision loss, but also improve your overall health.
There is strong evidence that an antioxidant called Pycnogenol protects blood vessels and capillaries. Made from French maritime tree bark, this chemical compound keeps blood vessels in diabetics functioning properly.
Pycnogenol binds to certain proteins, such as those exposed in damaged areas of capillaries and seals them to suppress further outflow of blood. Studies have shown that intake of Pycnogenol can reduce blood leakage in the eye and may stop the progression of vision loss.
Many patients also look to Pycnogenol to further reduce their risk of long-term complications from type 2 diabetes. In a new clinical study, type 2 diabetes patients had lower blood sugar and healthier blood vessels after supplementing with Pycnogenol.
Author: Richard Lewis
Author Bio:
Learn more about Pycnogenol at www.pycnogenol.com. - NU
