Stay on Track of Your Diabetes

Infographic of the TRACK vision protection tool; information referenced later in article
TRACK is a way to remember the factors that can contribute to eye health while living with diabetes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 37 million Americans, more than 11% of the U.S. population, had diabetes in 2019, and at least 96 million adults were pre-diabetic. Elevated glucose levels in the blood can damage vessels by narrowing them. While blood vessels all over the body are impacted, damage to the fragile blood vessels of the eye can lead to vision changes. This article provides an overview of the eye conditions related to diabetes along with tips and products that can help monitor blood glucose levels.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of vision loss among working-age adults, according to the National Institutes of Health. Several factors influence whether you get diabetic retinopathy:

  • blood sugar control
  • blood pressure levels
  • how long you have had diabetes
  • genes

According to the American Diabetes Association, the longer you have had diabetes, the more likely you are to have some form of retinopathy. People who keep their blood sugar levels closer to normal are less likely to have retinopathy or will have milder forms.

Glaucoma

People with diabetes are twice as likely to suffer from glaucoma than people without diabetes. The longer someone has had diabetes, the more at risk they are for developing glaucoma. Risk also increases with age.

Did you know?

Glaucoma occurs when pressure builds up in the eye. Vision is gradually lost because the retina and nerve are damaged.

Cataracts

Many people get cataracts, but people with diabetes are more likely to develop this eye condition. Excess blood sugar can cause cataracts. People with diabetes also tend to get cataracts at a younger age and they progress faster.

Did you know?

With cataracts, the eye’s clear lens clouds, blocking light.

Tools to Help

Annual dilated eye checkups can reduce complications due to the conditions above or help you avoid them altogether. There are many strategies and tools to help you stay on top of your diabetes with low vision.

The National Eye Health Education Program developed a tool using the word “TRACK” to help you remember how to stay on track with your diabetes:

T: Take medications as prescribed

R: Reach and maintain a healthy weight

A: Add physical activity to daily life

C: Control your ABCs: A1C, blood pressure and cholesterol

K: Kick smoking

If you have diabetes, work with a certified diabetes care and education specialist who will educate, support and advocate for you. If you also have a vision impairment, consider meeting with a vision rehabilitation specialist to get help with routine tasks associated with medication management, meal preparation, participation in enjoyable physical activities, and measuring blood glucose levels.

Materials for Measuring Blood Glucose

Discuss with the diabetes care and education specialist the features that different blood sugar meters offer. There are two main types: A simple meter that requires a drop of blood, or a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) that uses a sensor implanted under the skin. The CGM will read your blood sugar every five or so minutes, no finger sticks required. Find much more information on this webpage.

If you have usable vision, ask your diabetes care and education specialist to recommend a meter with large numbers and a high contrast screen. If needed, ask about a talking meter, making sure you can hear the audio output. Some other useful features include meters that can be managed independently by a person who is blind, meters that give blood glucose averages over a 30- or 60-day span, and talking meters with a repeat button. Create a consistent location for the testing set-up. A solid surface is preferable because you often need to stabilize the meter or the finger being lanced. A tray with raised sides is often helpful as it prevents any testing items from getting away.

Using a magnifier to help read the markings on a syringe
Use a stable surface for the reading. A magnifier can help you see the markings on an insulin syringe.

If you have low vision, make the surface high contrast in relation to the testing items. This can be any color that works for you. Add a task lamp that is movable because it will need to be placed to best enhance the blood drop’s location and not cast a shadow on the lanced finger. Sometimes, an optical aid may be useful. This might be a head-worn device like the Optivisor or a stand magnifier. If you have a video magnifier, consider using it to help find the blood drop.

Getting the Most Accurate Blood Glucose Reading

To increase blood flow to the fingers, wash your hands in warm water to remove any substance that might alter the meter’s reading if the substance mixed with the blood drop. Use soap when washing hands, as hand sanitizer can alter the reading. Vigorously shake your hands at your side, like shaking a mercury thermometer. Milk the finger that will be lanced by gently squeezing the finger from its base toward the fingertip. A final suggestion to increase the blood in the tip of a finger is to use a rubber band tourniquet or pinch-type clothespin. Place the rubber band or clothespin next to the first joint from the fingertip. Lance the fingertip and release the rubber band or clothespin. View this PDF for detailed instructions and pictures.

Squeezing blood from a finger under a magnifier.
Gently squeeze the finger from its base toward the fingertip.

Getting the blood onto the test strip can be a challenge. Work with your diabetes care and education specialist to discover a solution that will work for you. One suggestion is to turn the meter sideways as the strip meets the fingertip. This is more effective when the hand that has been lanced is stabilized on the surface and only the meter is being moved. Some hold their thumb nail next to the spot to be lanced, and leave the thumb in that position as a landmark for the location of the blood drop.

Physical Activity for Well-Being

Increasing physical activity can be challenging with vision impairment. Check the local community recreation programs for chair exercise classes. These classes can increase your heart rate without leaving the chair. If a gym or physical fitness center is available, schedule a meeting with a trainer. Have the trainer work with you to find machines that meet your comfort level. Ask someone to work with you until you are able to independently set up the machine for your needs and you can orient within the facility. If you prefer being out and about, try to get mobility training from a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist and learn to use a long white mobility cane. With training, you can walk in your neighborhood or around the mall to get in physical activity. If you are concerned about falling, Stepping On classes may be helpful. Tips to start or continue an exercise program:

  • Create a schedule with your smart speaker or smart phone.
  • Pick an exercise buddy – someone you can share your successes and challenges with!

Additional Resources:

Contact your health care system or the Aging and Disability Resource Center to find diabetes education classes in your area.

VisionAware, “How Can I Manage My Diabetes”

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Living with Diabetes”

Find a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist at the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators

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