Vision problems

[MarthaJane]

In March my endo said that I was pre-diabetes and put me on a diet cutting out sugars and carbs. I have lost 30 pounds since March, but my readings are still the same -- which consists of all over the place. I am always at least 125 first thing in the morning. At any rate, I have been having a great deal of difficulty with my eyes. Since March I have had to change my contact/glasses prescription 3 times. Can this be a result of diabetes? On Saturday the optometrist said that he could not get my right eye to a 20/20 vision no matter what and he was concerned that there may be something else going on. Can fluctuations in sugar levels cause you to be able to see one day and not the next? I have three totally different pairs of glasses and depending on the day, depends on which one I wear and none of them offer me totally clear vision.

[PhyllisAnn]

I am not an expert on this..but I know diabetes can effect your vision. My doctor told me to hold off on an eye exam right now..till my blood sugar leveled off...into a comfortable range I guess you could say. Because for the problems you are having..your prescription changing so much. I would definitely see your endo again about this..and also consult your eye dr. too. That is great you have lost weight..good for you! I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes back in Sept. I've probably only lost 6 lbs. so far...but I go back to see the dr. in Jan. I hope I've lost more by then. Your blood sugar being 125 in the AM is not that bad. I can't get mine below 170....grrr. Will probably have to increase my meds in the evening. I take amaryl. I am assuming you are controlling yours with diet and exercise. Good for you!

[MarthaJane]

Thanks for replying. I have been dieting and exercising and have had really good results with the weight loss, but haven't really seen a change in the sugar readings. I do feel soooooo much better and seem to have a lot more energy. I am still overweight and hope that if I continue doing what I am doing that the sugar levels will follow suit. I am not on any medication -- just watching the sugar and carbs. The eye thing though is about to drive me nuts. At the moment I have on two pairs of glasses trying to see the computer screen. There are some days that I can almost see without any glasses and then other days that are like today. Very frustrating. I have made an appointment with a specialist tomorrow morning.

[SamQKitty]

MarthaJane,
Absolutely, fluctuations in blood sugars can cause your vision to change. Most optometrists or ophthamologists who are experienced with diabetic patients will tell you not to bother changing your prescriptions until you get your blood sugars under control.

You mentioned your morning blood sugars. Are you testing at other times of the day? It's possible that your levels are going way up after eating. You might want to try testing 2 hours after meals, and keep a log. If your bg levels are still way above 160 2 hours after a meal despite all the weight you've lost, you may need to add some medication to keep them down.

Also, if you're not seeing an ophthamologist, but only an optometrist, make an appointment with an ophthamologist for a dilated eye exam. Diabetics should have one of these once a year, and it needs to be with a doctor who is experienced at diagnosing diabetic retinopathy, which is usually an opthamologist rather than an optometrist. You probably don't have retinopathy yet, and may never get it, but you should be checked for it anyway.

Ruth

[Klumze]

High bloodsugars can definetely affect your vision. Your blood vessels get brittle over time and begin to leak, the blood blocks your vision and your eyes swell out of normal size. This is the case with myself just diagnosed from my opthamoligist. Once your sugars are in normal order regularly and the eyes blood vessels heal you should begin to see better with time. I am in month 2 of knowing and the doctor says my swelling is going down. Hope this helps.