Diabetes, What to Know Head to Toe

Eyes: Diabetes can lead to vision loss or even blindness.

To take good care of your eyes:

• Keep your blood sugar close to your goal.
• Bring high blood pressure down.
• Get a dilated eye exam by an eye doctor every year. Your eye doctor will use drops to enlarge your pupils to look inside your eyes.
• See your eye doctor if:
  • Your vision is blurry.
  • You see double.
  • You see spots or floaters.
  • One or both eyes hurt.
  • You feel pressure in your eye.
  • You can’t see things at the sides like you used to.
  • You have trouble reading.

Feet: Diabetes can harm the blood vessels and nerves in your feet.

To keep your feet healthy:

• Keep your blood sugar close to your goal.
• Take off your shoes and socks and have your feet checked at least once a year–more often if you have any foot problems.
• Wash your feet every day. Dry them, even between toes.
• Check daily for cuts, blisters, redness, and swelling. If you cannot see the bottom of your feet, use a mirror or ask someone for help. If you find anything, contact your health care provider–no matter how small the problem.
• Never walk barefoot.
• Wear shoes that fit well. If you have lost feeling in your feet, ask your health care provider for advice on proper shoes.
• Break in new shoes slowly.
• Wear clean padded socks that fit well. Make sure the sock seams are in the right place.
• Cut your nails straight across and file the edges.
• Shake out your shoes before putting them on. A small pebble can lead to problems.
• Don’t smoke.

Heart: People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop high blood pressure than people without diabetes.

To have a healthy heart:

• Lose weight, if you are overweight. Talk to your health care provider.
• Become more physically active.
• Have your blood pressure checked at each health care provider visit.
• Ask your health care provider what your blood pressure goal should be. A blood pressure level under 130/85 mm Hg is the goal for most people with diabetes.
• Don’t smoke.