Daily Taboos for Diabetics: How Excessive Eye Strain and Fatigue Affect Blood Sugar

Avoid prolonged computer use: In the 21st century, computers have become commonplace in homes, greatly improving work efficiency. However, staring at a computer screen for extended periods is extremely detrimental to the eyes.

Medical research shows that if the eyeball is deprived of tear lubrication for just 10 seconds, part of the corneal epithelial cells will dry out. In severe cases, the cornea may ulcerate or break down. A tear film, formed by tear fluid, keeps the eye moist. If tears are unevenly distributed, the eyes will feel dry and uncomfortable, along with a foreign body sensation and increased eye discharge. Therefore, if the eyes do not produce tears for 10 seconds or blinking frequency decreases significantly, the cornea will begin to feel dry. Under a microscope, the normally transparent cornea appears like "frosted glass."

When using a computer, due to intense concentration, blinking frequency decreases by about 10%, from 14 times per minute to 5 times per minute, thus reducing tear production. Simultaneously, the eyeball is exposed to dry air for a longer period, causing rapid evaporation of moisture, easily leading to dry and uncomfortable eyes.

Because diabetes itself has adverse effects on the eyes, prolonged computer use can lead to complications affecting the optic nerve, extraocular bones, and retina. Medical experts point out that prolonged computer use can cause the following harms to diabetic patients:

(1) The screen light prevents the ciliary muscle and lens from properly adapting to changes in image quality, making it difficult to focus on the retina. It feels like something is stuck to the eye, resulting in blurred vision.

(2) Impaired normal visual function. Visual dysfunction mainly includes pupillary constriction, and changes in eye shape, corneal curvature, and retinal blood circulation.

(3) 80% of computer users experience varying degrees of eye pain. Severe cases may involve dry, painful eyes and excessive tearing. If the eyes are difficult to open, it indicates serious corneal damage; in this case, one should lie down and rest with eyes closed as soon as possible.

(4) Decreased vision due to screen time. Working in front of a screen for more than 2 hours a day can temporarily decrease vision by about 30%. Over time, this can lead to permanent nearsightedness. (5) When the eyes are stimulated by screen light, it can cause eye muscle spasms and abnormal pupil contraction, leading to symptoms such as eye fatigue, soreness, and dryness. In severe cases, it may cause tearing, dizziness, nausea, etc.

(6) It may lead to various complications, such as diabetic retinopathy, retinal hemorrhages, cotton wool spots, retinal arteriovenous changes, proliferative retinopathy, retinal detachment, etc.

Therefore, those who need to operate computers for long periods should frequently look out the window and pay attention to their blinking frequency; they should also avoid staying in dry, windy environments for too long. If possible, place a bowl of water in an air-conditioned room or use a humidifier to maintain indoor humidity. Avoid frequent use of mobile phones.

Nowadays, most people own a mobile phone. Because it is not only lightweight but also transmits information very quickly and easily, it has naturally become a new favorite. However, everything has two sides. According to a report by researchers at Lund University in Sweden, who irradiated mice with microwave pulses similar to those emitted from mobile phones, the mice's brain tissue lost its defense mechanisms when exposed to mobile phone radiation, allowing harmful proteins and toxins in the blood to easily enter. Similarly, just two minutes of exposure to radiation waves from a mobile phone can cause the body's defense mechanisms against harmful proteins and toxins entering the brain to fail. Furthermore, once harmful proteins enter brain tissue, a person is highly likely to develop brain and neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis.

Therefore, diabetic patients should avoid frequent mobile phone use to prevent damage to their health and worsening of their condition.

Avoid overexertion: Whether exercising, working, or studying, we should maintain a balance; otherwise, "too much of a good thing" can have adverse effects. The same applies to diabetic patients. Moderate exercise can enhance respiratory and cardiovascular function, improve metabolism, and correct blood sugar and lipid metabolism disorders. However, overexertion or strenuous exercise should be avoided, as it can stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, cause an adrenaline response, raise blood sugar, and worsen the condition.