Living with diabetes can present many challenges, one of which is the potential for eye-related damage. Unmanaged blood sugar levels can negatively affect various areas of the body, and if you suffer from sleep apnea, the potential risks of cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and even blindness increase. Keep reading to learn why treatment for your sleep apnea and maintenance for diabetes can help you keep your sight longer.
When Blindness is a Possibility: How Does Sleep Apnea Increase the Risk?
It is no secret that sleep apnea and diabetes are often connected. One component many researchers struggle to agree on is which one causes the other.
When it comes to potential blindness, researchers in Taiwan have found that those living with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are at an increased risk of developing diabetic macular edema, which is a diabetes-related eye disease that can lead to loss of sight.
The frequency of interrupted sleep and unmanaged blood sugar can damage the blood vessels located in the back of the eye, resulting in diabetic retinopathy. If they begin to leak or swell, blood may be unable to flow adequately, leading to vision loss or blindness.
It’s also possible that because sleep apnea causes a decrease in oxygen levels, the optic nerve within the eye can be damaged, resulting in glaucoma.
What Can Treatment for Sleep Apnea Do to Help?
It’s important for patients living with sleep apnea and diabetes to receive essential treatment so that their overall quality of life can improve. Closely managing blood sugar levels and taking necessary medication can help to reduce the chances of vision loss. When combined with personalized sleep apnea treatment, the chances of blindness can decrease significantly.
A licensed sleep dentist can recommend CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy, a weight loss program (if obesity or being overweight is contributing to OSA), oral appliance therapy, or even medication to treat the symptoms of sleep apnea. Which one is recommended is dependent upon a comprehensive evaluation and discussion that occurs in the early stages of care.
Many patients opt for a custom-made oral appliance because of how easy it is to use and its portability, making it easy to travel with. This unique device fits snugly in the mouth so that the jaw moves forward, allowing the airway to remain open and unobstructed.
Sleep apnea and diabetes may be what you are living with, but they don’t have to lower your quality of life. Instead, you can get the help you need to manage your diabetes and address your sleep apnea symptoms so that you can continue to see clearly, breathe freely, and wake up better rested each day.
About the Practice
Our team at Star Sleep & Wellness in Frisco consists of sleep experts and specialists who are committed to providing patients with a comprehensive approach to sleep apnea treatment. We not only conduct thorough evaluations and sleep tests, but we also provide one-on-one consultations and treatment to address the symptoms as well as the underlying cause. If you are living with sleep apnea and diabetes and worry they will create additional health problems, contact us to find out how we can help.