A new study found that tightly controlling your glucose levels can decrease the rate of diabetes eye-related complications.
Intensive Management
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that those with type 1 diabetes can reduce the risk of diabetes eye-related surgeries by up to 50%. Intensive or tight glucose management is difficult to obtain and maintain, but the good news even those that decreased their A1c levels by 10%, can reduce the risk of diabetes eye-related surgeries by 35%. (1)
A new study found that tightly controlling your glucose levels can decrease the rate of diabetes eye-related complications.
A1c Goal
What is your A1c level? The A1c is an average of your glucose for the past 2 -3 months, so it is a look back at what has been happening. For the initial study the goal was 6.05%. The average A1c for the participants ended up being about 7%.
A new study found that tightly controlling your glucose levels can decrease the rate of diabetes eye-related complications.
The Studies
The research has included 2 studies: one study in the 1980’s that followed 1,400 people with type 1 diabetes for 10 years divided into 2 groups. One group had intense glucose management and one with standard management. A second study followed participants who were in the initial study; however, intensive management was not continued.
A new study found that tightly controlling your glucose levels can decrease the rate of diabetes eye-related complications.
Follow-up
After the 23 year follow-up, 63 people out of 711 receiving intensive management had diabetes eye-related surgery, 98 out of 730 people with standard care had diabetes eye-related surgery. There was a reduction of cataract surgery by 48% in the intense group, and the need for vitrectomy or retinal surgery was 45% lower in the intense group.
A new study found that tightly controlling your glucose levels can decrease the rate of diabetes eye-related complications.
Decrease Your Risk
Talk with your healthcare provider about what your A1c goal should be. Take preventative measures to help protect your eyes by doing the following: making regular exams with your ophthalmologist; help decrease the risk of complications from diabetes by controlling your glucose levels; remember always take your medication; and always check your glucose levels.
(1)
