How to Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy and Blindness with Dr. Seema Nanda

Episode 11.13.2023 - How to Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy and Blindness with Dr. Seema Nanda

In this episode, Dr. Ardis and a guest, Dr. Seema Nanda, talk about the connection between diabetes and eye health, specifically focusing on diabetic retinopathy and blindness prevention. They emphasize the impact of diabetes on vision and how excessive sugar in the body can lead to various eye problems.

Dr. Nanda explains that diabetes can directly affect eye health and discusses how sugar accumulation in the body can cause a myopic shift, leading to blurry vision. They also mention the connection between high blood sugar levels, frequent urination, and dehydration.

The conversation delves into the effects of diabetes on various parts of the eye, including the meibomian glands and the vitreous humor. It's mentioned that high sugar intake can damage these components, potentially leading to dryness and glaucoma.

They highlight the global prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and the alarming projection of increasing cases, with Africa having the highest rates and South and Central America the lowest. The discussion also touches upon the impact of COVID-19 on diabetes diagnoses.

Dr. Nanda provides information on managing and reversing diabetes, particularly concerning eye health, and suggests healthy food choices and nutrition tips. They recommend foods like avocados, apple cider vinegar, berries, chia seeds, and date palm sugar for a balanced diet.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of choosing organic and non-GMO foods over processed juices, and they caution against purchasing fruit juices that may be concentrated and sweetened with added sugar. They recommend including mackerel and other fatty fish in the diet to reduce sugar cravings and improve eye health.

Towards the end, there are recommendations such as eating almonds before a meal to control appetite, an A-Z alphabet approach to food for diabetes management, and even the idea of getting a dog for diabetes management. Dr. Nanda discusses potential negative effects of diabetes drugs like Ozempic and encourages viewers to seek help if they experience vision problems, offering her services at the Nanda Dry Eye Institute in Houston, Texas.