How to Slow Vision Loss From Diabetic Macular Edema
Diabetic Macular EdemaLiving With DME

7 Ways to Slow the Progression of Diabetic Macular Edema

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetic macular edema (DME), it’s important to take quick action to try to prevent further vision loss.
7 Ways to Slow the Progression of Diabetic Macular Edema
Canva (4)
By
Updated on May 10, 2024
by
Listen to the article here:

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is caused by diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes that leads to swelling of the macula, a small but important area in the back of your eye that helps you see what’s in front of you clearly.

Of the more than 38.4 million Americans who have diabetes, as many as 1 in 15 eventually develop DME, according to the National Eye Institute (NEI).

“[The macula] is the center of the retina, where you have the best vision,” says Daniel S. Casper, MD, PhD, a professor emeritus of ophthalmology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City. It’s the part of the eye that helps you see straight ahead, he adds.

After developing DME, you may have trouble reading books (the letters can appear twisted or misshapen) or seeing the faces of friends and family. Vision loss can have a serious impact on your quality of life. It can limit your ability to drive, manage finances, and travel. Plus, people who are visually impaired are more likely to have depression and experience a fall than those who don’t have low vision, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to the CDC, vision loss is a cause of disability and a public health problem in the United States.

If you have DME, it’s important not to delay treatment. By trying these 7 strategies — on top of getting medical treatment — it’s possible to prevent further vision loss. Follow this sight-saving advice.

Are There Ways to Slow the Progression of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)?

Calvin W. Roberts, MD, an ophthalmologist and clinical professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, explains if there are ways to slow the progression of diabetic macular edema.
Are There Ways to Slow the Progression of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)?

Next up video playing in 10 seconds

1. Lower Your Blood Sugar Levels

If you have DME, having high blood sugar can increase your risk of blindness, according to the NEI. Dr. Casper tells people to try to lower their A1C number — a measurement of your average blood sugar levels over the past three months — to under 7 percent.

According to the CDC, the goal for most people with diabetes should be an A1C of less than 7 percent, but individual goals will depend on factors such as age and other health conditions you may have. So you should talk to your doctor about the A1C goal that’s right for you.

2. Schedule Regular Eye Appointments

People with diabetes are often advised to see an eye doctor annually. After a diabetic macular edema diagnosis, you may need to go more frequently, depending on the progression of the disease and the status of your A1C.

If your A1C is too high and you have certain lifestyle habits, such as smoking, that speed up symptom progression, then you may need to schedule a checkup once every few months, says Casper.

Perspectives
portrait of a person
Terrell
Living With DME
“If I don't speak up, they're just going to treat me as another number. I go to a very good doctor, but I have been in situations where I've been overlooked.”
Transcript Available

3. Exercise Regularly

Staying active can help improve your all-important A1C level, and the best way to lower your blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity is by doing a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise.

One review found that compared with aerobic or resistance exercise alone, a combination of the two was the best method to improve blood sugar, insulin levels, and other health factors, such as weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides.

 And another review found that combining aerobic and resistance training showed signs of improved glucose (blood sugar) metabolism and reduced inflammation in sedentary adults without diabetes.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion recommends that adults shoot for at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and two days of weight training per week.

 That said, it’s important to talk to your doctor before starting any exercise if you have DME. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), if you have retinopathy, it’s important to use caution when considering certain strenuous exercises, such as ones that require heavy lifting and straining, as well as high-impact activities that cause jarring or bending your head down.

4. Eat a Healthy Diet

When it comes to maintaining or lowering your blood sugar levels, it’s hard to overstate the importance of a healthy diet. The ADA recommends a diet full of dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, and other healthy fare.

5. Stop Smoking

Research on the effect of smoking on diabetic retinopathy has yielded conflicting results. Some studies found that smoking increased the risk of diabetic retinopathy, while others showed that it had no effect on — or even protected against — diabetic retinopathy. One study has shown that a history of smoking is associated with changes in the retina that are linked to the development of diabetic retinopathy.

Moreover, tobacco increases the amount of sugar in your blood and weakens the blood vessels in your eyes. Both are good reasons to stop smoking, particularly if you want to reduce your risk of DME or help slow progression of the disease, according to Mayo Clinic.

And eye health is by no means the only reason to stop smoking if you have diabetes. According to the CDC, smokers who have diabetes are more likely than nonsmokers with diabetes to have heart disease, kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, and retinopathy. For help quitting, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

6. Get Your Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Levels Under Control

According to research, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels may increase your risk of developing DME or of the eye condition progressing (if you already have DME). The American Heart Association defines healthy blood pressure as below 120/80. Talk to your doctor about your target cholesterol levels.

7. Use Low-Vision Aids

If you have DME, using low-vision aids, such as magnifying devices and telescopic eyeglasses, can help maximize your vision, according to the CDC. And low-vision devices not only improve your quality of life, but can also keep you safe and help you maintain your independence.

Meet Our Experts
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
Edmund-Tsui-bio

Edmund Tsui, MD

Medical Reviewer

Edmund Tsui, MD, is an assistant professor of ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

He earned his medical degree from Dartmouth. He completed an ophthalmology residency at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, where he was chief resident, followed by a fellowship in uveitis and ocular inflammatory disease at the Francis I. Proctor Foundation for Research in Ophthalmology at the University of California in San Francisco.

Dr. Tsui is committed to advancing the field of ophthalmology. His research focuses on utilizing state-of-the-art ophthalmic imaging technology to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of uveitis. He is a co-investigator in several multicenter clinical trials investigating therapeutics for uveitis. He is the author of over 80 peer-reviewed publications and has given talks at national and international conferences.

Along with his clinical and research responsibilities, Tsui teaches medical students and residents. He is on the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology's professional development and education committee, as well as the advocacy and outreach committee, which seeks to increase funding and awareness of vision research. He also serves on the editorial board of Ophthalmology and the executive committee of the American Uveitis Society.

See full bio

Jessica Migala

Author

Jessica Migala is a freelance writer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in health, nutrition, fitness, and beauty. She has written extensively about vision care, diabetes, dermatology, gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular health, cancer, pregnancy, and gynecology. She was previously an assistant editor at Prevention where she wrote monthly science-based beauty news items and feature stories.

She has contributed to more than 40 print and digital publications, including Cosmopolitan, O:The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Woman’s Day, Women’s Health, Fitness, Family Circle, Health, Prevention, Self, VICE, and more. Migala lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two young boys, rescue beagle, and 15 fish. When not reporting, she likes running, bike rides, and a glass of wine (in moderation, of course).

See full bio
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. National Diabetes Statistics Report. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. November 29, 2023.
  2. Diabetic Retinopathy. National Eye Institute. February 22, 2024.
  3. Vision Loss: A Public Health Problem. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. December 19, 2022.
  4. All About Your A1C. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. September 30, 2022.
  5. Liang M et al. Effects of Aerobic, Resistance, and Combined Exercise on Metabolic Syndrome Parameters and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine. December 2021.
  6. Silva FM et al. The Effects of Combined Exercise Training on Glucose Metabolism and Inflammatory Markers in Sedentary Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Scientific Reports. January 22, 2024.
  7. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition [PDF]. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. 2018.
  8. Exercising With Diabetes Complications. American Diabetes Association.
  9. What Superstar Foods Are Good for Diabetes? American Diabetes Association.
  10. Liu DW et al. Association Between Smoking History and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Findings in Diabetic Patients Without Diabetic Retinopathy. PLoS One. July 9, 2021.
  11. Reducing Your Risks of Diabetic Macular Edema. Mayo Clinic. February 28, 2023.
  12. Smoking and Diabetes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. October 13, 2023.
  13. Busch C et al. General Health of Patients With Diabetic Macular Edema—the LIPSIA Study. PLoS One. June 11, 2021.
  14. Understanding Blood Pressure Readings. American Heart Association. May 30, 2023.
  15. Learn About Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. November 23, 2020.