Living with diabetes means paying close attention to your health every day. While most people know about checking blood sugar levels and eating healthy foods, many forget how important it is to take care of their feet and eyes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA), these two areas can be affected by diabetes in serious ways, but with the right care, problems can be prevented or caught early. 

Why Foot Care is Important

Diabetes can damage nerves in your feet. This is called diabetic neuropathy. According to the CDC, when nerves are damaged, you might not feel pain, heat or cold like you used to. That means you could get a cut, blister or sore without noticing. If these small injuries aren’t treated, they can become infected. In serious cases, infections can lead to surgery or even amputation. The CDC and ADA note that unnoticed injuries and infections can result in serious complications, including limb loss.

Also, diabetes can reduce blood flow to your feet. Poor circulation makes it harder for wounds to heal. That’s why checking your feet every day is so important. Look for cuts, redness, swelling or anything that doesn’t look normal. If you see something, tell your doctor right away.

Here are some simple foot care tips:

• Wash your feet daily with warm water and mild soap.
• Dry them well, especially between the toes.
• Keep your toenails trimmed straight across.
• Wear shoes that fit well and protect your feet.
• Never walk barefoot, even at home.
• Check your feet every day, even if they feel fine.

Why Eye Care is Important

Diabetes can also harm your eyes. High blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels in your eyes. This can lead to problems like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. These conditions can cause blurry vision, trouble seeing at night or even blindness if not treated. 

Many eye problems don’t show symptoms right away. That’s why it’s important to get a full eye exam at least once a year. An eye doctor can look inside your eyes and catch problems early – before they get worse.

The following eye health recommendations align with standards published by the ADA, which emphasizes controlling blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol to help reduce the risk of diabetic eye disease. 

Tips for Healthy Eyes:

• Keep your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol under control.
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun.
• Avoid smoking, which can make eye problems worse.
• Tell your doctor if your vision changes suddenly.

Visit Clinicas

Taking care of your feet and eyes might seem like a lot, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc we offer foot exams, eye exams and dental support for people living with diabetes. Our Vision Care Services and Dental Care Services teams are here to help you stay healthy and feel your best.

If you haven’t had your feet or eyes checked lately, now is a great time to make an appointment. A few minutes of care today can prevent big problems tomorrow.

Diabetes doesn’t have to stop you from living a full life. With good foot and eye care, you can stay active, independent and confident. So, take a look at your feet, schedule that eye exam and keep moving forward. Your health is worth it and so are you.