Lifestyle Changes To Slow Diabetic Macular Edema Progression

While medical interventions like drug injections in your eye can help stop the fluid leakage and swelling that define diabetic macular edema, these treatments won’t stop the condition from coming back. That’s because if your blood sugar (glucose) levels remain high, you’re likely to experience ongoing damage to blood vessels in your eyes. " Dr. Rezaei explains. Even when someone’s diabetic macular edema is treated promptly, "If we don’t control blood sugar, they end up losing vision because of scar tissue in the eye," he says. Unfortunately, Rezaei notes, the kinds of foods that are typically optimal for blood sugar control - such as fruits and vegetables, foods that contain slowly digested carbohydrates, healthy fats, and protein - tend not to be widely available at restaurants, and are often more expensive than less healthy options. But even if it comes with extra cost and inconvenience, a healthy diet is an essential part of blood sugar control, he says. "I see the worst complications of diabetes," Rezaei laments.



He recommends working with a dietitian who collaborates with your primary care doctor or endocrinologist to come up with a detailed eating plan that’s designed to keep your blood sugar at the right level. In general, he notes, people with diabetes tend to have better blood sugar control when they eat nonstarchy vegetables, lean sources of protein, and carbohydrate-rich foods with a low glycemic index - meaning the carbs don’t spike your blood sugar. In addition to following a diet that keeps your blood sugar under control, some specific foods may help with diabetic macular edema. A research review published in March 2022 in the journal Nutrients found that consuming fish regularly may help inhibit diabetic retinopathy. In one study, eating oily fish (such as salmon or herring) twice a week was linked to a 60 percent lower risk for retinopathy. In another study, eating 3 to 5 ounces (85 to 141 grams) of dark or oily fish weekly was linked to a 70 percent lower retinopathy risk.



The researchers also found that eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables may help prevent or slow retinopathy due to the vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients they contain. These foods should be included in every meal, and the researchers recommended a minimum daily intake of 400 grams (14 ounces) - but ideally even more than this. If you’re looking for an overall dietary strategy to follow, you might consider a Mediterranean diet - which emphasizes fruits and vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, nuts, fish, and poultry. One study found that a Mediterranean diet that emphasized olive oil, in particular, was linked to a 44 percent lower risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. According to the Nutrients research review, tea - meaning beverages brewed from the plant that gives us black, green, white, and oolong teas - has been shown in lab experiments to help prevent the formation of abnormal blood vessels in the retinas of rats with diabetes. Other studies have shown that green tea, in particular, may help improve retinal health in a number of different ways.



Coffee has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects that may also help improve your eye health, due to a number of beneficial compounds found in the beverage. Studies have shown that people with the highest coffee intake may be at lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes, although it’s unclear if coffee helps improve blood sugar once you have diabetes. Physical activity, along with diet, is a key element of blood sugar control, Rezaei explains. "Physical activity will increase the reception of glucose by muscle, and that will bring your sugar to a lower level," he says. The Nutrients research GlycoMode Review noted that both aerobic activity (cardio) and resistance (weight) training have been shown to have broad benefits that may translate to better eye health - including lower blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and better overall cardiovascular health. High levels of activity may also be beneficial for diabetic macular edema, with one study showing that getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week was linked to slower progression of diabetic retinopathy.