blurred vision
I realize my dr said my vision would most definintely be blurred at the onset of getting used to the insulin at first. But now that I've been a diabetic for about 8 months I find my vision gets blurry when I go high. Does that happen to anybody and how do you handle it?
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Kelly Rawlings on -
It's a visual reminder to work on blood glucose control!
Some of the blurriness can be temporary, but high blood sugars damage the tiny blood vessels in the eye, causing them to swell or leak and obscure vision.
The good news: improved blood glucose control can halt the progression diabetes eye disease (retinopathy). Ask your doctor about getting a dilated eye exam. This is important to set a baseline--your eyes may already have some permanent signs of diabetes damage-signs that you can't "see" but an eye doctor can. This eye exam should be repeated every year (more often if you have uncontrolled blood sugars or notice vision problems).
Laser surgery and other procedures can treat retinopathy. See Diabetics with Eye Problems on this site.
-
Permalink Reply by amy on -
Hi,
And thanks so much for your reply. I did have that eye exam and everything as far as the health of my eyes are fine so far. I just happen to notice the blurriness might be happening when my level is high.
Thank YOU!
-
Permalink Reply by Scott on -
What Kelly said!
I definitely get blurry vision if my sugars are high for a few days, it will also usually take a few days for them to clear up once my sugars get back where they're supposed to be.
I have retinopathy, but it has been improving over the last couple of ophthalmologist visits as my control has improved.
BTW, you REALLY need to see an ophthalmologist and have a dilated eye exam to find out if there is anything to worry about. With out dilating the eye, only about 5% of the retina is visible. An optometrist (the one who does glasses and contacts only) will not really will not do that, nor likely have the proper instruments to give a proper examination.
-
Permalink Reply by amy on
-
Hi,
And thanks, I did hav ethe dialated exam and everything was good. But after that exam I seem to have figured the blurriness might go together with the high sugar and needed confirmation. Which it seems to be.
Thank YOU SO MUCH!!
-
Permalink Reply by amy on
-
Hi Dave,
You know my endo wanted to put me on the pump right away. The only reason why I didn't is because my co-pay was $1700!!!! But I'm glad I didn't do it yet. My levels were good for a while but as of late they seem to be getting on the high side. So I'm adjusting again. Next open season I might switch to a new health plan that covers it 100%. Thank you, you gave some solid advice.
Amy:)
-
Permalink Reply by Yvonne on -
Could I suggest a retinal scan instead of the dilated eye exam? The scan is supposed to show more detail and your ophthalmologist can conveniently keep the digital photos to compare from year to year.
-
Permalink Reply by faye on -
my optometrist always asks me how my sugars have been doing when i go for an appointment. he explained that your vision gets blurry when your bg is high because your eye absorbs glucose.
this is weird, but sometimes i find that my vision is clearer when i'm low.
-
Permalink Reply by amy on
-
Im near sighted and wear glasses I had no idea about blue vision. Thats awful.. If you get your numbers under control would that still happen to you?? From alll the responses I got I see that everyone gets blurry when they go high. So I think I really just have to be more careful to stay steady.
Thanks,
Amy:)
-
Permalink Reply by faye on
-
i'm VERY near sighted. :)
i'm very relieved to hear that someone has the same issue with losing the central vision when they're low (this usually happens when i'm in the 40s or 50s). i was freaking out and thought something was wrong with my eyes, but both my ophthalmologist and optometrist (trained in diabetic retinopathy) say everything is fine. i get retinal scans every year and all is well.
-
Permalink Reply by Ryan on -
Faye,
It be best to go to an opthamologist!!! Diabetics need yearly dilated eye exams to check for retinopathy!! I alway went to an optometrist until my endo said I should see an opthamologist. Well, when I went he told me I had retinopathy and I had to have laser surgery!! I was mad my optometrist never said anyhting!!
-
Permalink Reply by Dave on -
When I first got diagnosed my vision which normally requires correction actually got better, in fact it was perfect. It was so nice!! Then I started taking insulin and my BG started coming down and my vision got worse and went back to the way it was prior to diagnosis. It all has to do with ocular pressure and high BG levels increase the ocular pressure and change the shape of your eye/cornea which affects the clarity. The things you learn!!!
-
Permalink Reply by Yvonne on
-
David - this is a perfect explanation. This is exactly what happened to my eyes. My lens prescription got a whole lot better and my eyes needed minimal correction. I was thrilled! Unfortunately, my darn corneas went back to normal after 2 months of relatively normal blood glucose levels and I went back to being extremely nearsighted again.
Advertisement
REsources
Groups
From the Diabetes Hands Foundation blog...
How do you measure the work of volunteers?
329,040 minutes, 329,040 moments so dear. 329,040 minutes — How do you measure, measure volunteers? In smileys, in tears shed, in counsel, in cups of coffee. In units, in carb counts, in laughter, in strife. In 329,040 minutes – how …Continue Reading
DHF Expands Board of Advisors
Diabetes Hands Foundation has always relied on partners and advisors to increase its understanding of the diabetes space, in order to better serve people touched by diabetes. Today this is as true as ever, as we proudly announce the expansion …Continue Reading
TuDiabetes Team
DHF STAFF
 Manny Hernandez(Co-Founder, Editor, has LADA)
|
DHF VOLUNTEERS
Lead Administrator
 Bradford (has type 1) |
Administrators
 Lorraine (mother of type 1) |
 Marie B (has type 1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIKE us on Facebook
Spread the word
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
© 2013 A community of people touched by diabetes, run by the Diabetes Hands Foundation.
