Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Terrie on January 23, 2010 at 2:34am

Hello JT: :)

I was told by my Ophthalmologist that most(not all) People need reading glasses after age 40. Even non-Diabetics.

Diabetes doesn't care if you are Type 1, 1.5 or 2. We are all likely to have vision problems if our sugars aren't in the Good range most of the time. At least 1/2 of the Diabetes population will have eye issues. Some younger, some older.

Do you see an Ophthalmologist once or twice a year? People with Diabetes should have one. An Optometrist is not an eye disease Specialist.

I'm not sure what you mean. If you mean blurriness off and on, that is usually caused by too much sugar or a low blood sugar. You should test at these times to confirm. It can take awhile before vision is proper again after correcting a high or low blood sugar.

Permalink Reply by Terrie on January 23, 2010 at 2:56am

I don't consider blurry as cross-eyed. Out of focus is more to me as blurry.

I have a feeling that you didn't spare me. :D

Yes, I've always had an Ophthalmologist. I'm a Diabetic. Okay, except for the times when I didn't feel like going to an appt. I disliked Drs. appointments when I was younger.

Well, I sincerely hope that they are correct. It's Nice to hear, if so.

Permalink Reply by Terrie on January 23, 2010 at 3:41am

As far as not being able to find your computer screen, that is not normal, I don't think. Have you been checked out for Astigmatism? http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Astigmatism. I've come across many People with Diabetes who were dxd. with it at various ages. Or perhaps far-sightedness. Just a thought.

With me a short-term high just causes blurriness no matter what I look at. If I had a low that Really messed with my vision usually. Things looking blurry, crooket(sp), things moving in slow motion, things spinning, etc. Crazy!

Floaters(dark or translucent specks are ususally harmless.

If you see wavy line(s), a line or flashes, Really blurry(can't see), or blackness, please see your Eye Dr. or a trip to the ER. It could be Retinopathy or Bleeders or Detaching Retina or Detached Retina. These can be fixed if they are looked after ASAP.

Other Members will probably be able to comment on others. I had Retinopathy. That was enough for me. :p Had lasers, now my left eye is Fine(touch wood). Never had a prob with my right.

Keeping blood sugars in a Good to Decent range is important for every part of your body, as you probably know.

Permalink Reply by Terrie on January 23, 2010 at 3:56am

YW! A Writer, eh? Well then you'd better get to it. No time like the present. :) Good Luck!

Did you read Richard157 Life Story? It's on this Forum and others. A Wonderful Man and an Amazing Story. :)

Permalink Reply by Judith Wy on January 23, 2010 at 6:48am

I am type 2. I started having blurry fuzzy vision. Since then I have experienced double vision that has gone horizontal and once went vertical. I had my eyes checked and got new glasses. I never wear them as I cannot see any better with them then without them. I have had 3 car accidents in 2 months and always had a perfect record. My doc took my Metformin from 1000mg. a day up to 2500 mg. last week. Now I am back to the fuzzy stage. Mine gets worse when I have higher readings. Don't forget things like stress can throw your numbers around a lot I found out! J

Permalink Reply by Josh F on December 4, 2011 at 7:43pm

High blood sugers or fluctuating blood sugars cause changes in vision. It is transitory. However I would suggest getting an opthomologist who deals with the retina, as you will need annual eye exams going forward. Trust me, you want thing caught BEFORE any vision is effected. Good luck! ;-)

Permalink Reply by State Worker on December 6, 2011 at 9:33am

Hi everyone

I'm new here but very interested in this group since my own experience with eye problems due to high blood sugars (419) sent me home from work with a 12 week leave of absence because I could not see in the morning when I woke.
Several trips to the ophthalmologist I go to said I had a swollen lens that would take as long as three months to come back to normal after I got my blood sugars under control. I did that pronto and that's what actually caused my vision to go fluky, not when I had high sugars but when I brought it down to normal range with Lantus and pills. This all started October 6th and here it is Dec 6th and I still have the problem but I'm getting good readings after fasting. My H1c was 15.2 but dropped to 10.9 three weeks back when taken by the Endo Doctor that I asked for a second opinion. Has anyone ever experience this problem? Going out in bright sunlight and car headlights at night are also a problem. I hope some one can give me an insight on how long this takes to clear up.

Regards
Stateworker

Permalink Reply by Josh F on December 18, 2011 at 4:22am

It is different with everyone, but bringing from very high A1c levels to lower levels will have an effect on the eyes. The body is used to certain levels of hyperglycemia after time and once you change the amount of sugar in the system, it changes the chemical reaction to certain places in the body, mainly seen in the smallest blood vessels like the eyes. That said those changes are transitory and will improve with more consistent lower glycemic control.

No judgement but 15.2 is very very high and bringing it down is the best thing for your long term outlook. so congrats and keep up the good work, but only your eye dr will be able to tell you how your eyes are reacting to your changes and give an idea of how long it will take for the adjustments to settle down. Don't lose faith, you are doing the best thing for you. Good luck and keep at it. It WILL get better.