Anyone Diabetic Vision Problems?

[papbouv]

As a new Diabetic as of 1/15/08 Blood sugars in the 400 range now on Metformin 500mg 3X a day just started Glipizide XL 5mg 1 in the am & 22 units Lantus at 3:00 pm everyday. Started having Blurred vision Thursday evening still have it today has not improved at all having problems seeing stuff on my computer.I was told NOT to go to the eye doctor until my Blood sugars get stabilized by the Diabetic nurse was wondering if she is giving good information.????
Thanks for any advise.
Papbouv

[Kari]

Personally I would go to an eye doctor immediately! Drew is a Type 1 diabetic since he was 17 months old and having been together close to 13 years I have learned a lot about diabetes. Twice he has had eye problems and we went immediately to the retinal specialist (or go to your eye doctor). It isn't something you want to sit around and wait on. Keep us updated!

[Teresa]

I agree with you Kari. The ones I know with Diabetes all say not to fool around with the eye symptoms. You would be better off going to the eye doctor and being told you are still okay, than not going and wishing later that you had. Is your sugar level higher since the eye symptoms started? I know that my uncle can tell when his sugar has gone up because his vision will suddenly change. Actually that is how he was diagnosed in the first place. His vision got blurry all of a sudden, bad enough that he went to the emergency room. Because of the family history of diabetes, they checked his blood sugar and found it was extremely high.

[papbouv]

Thank You Kerri & Teresa for the information actually my blood sugars have went down from the 400 range before I knew I was Diabetic to 138 tonight at 10:30pm it was 83 at 8:30pm so wanted to make sure it was not going down too far before bed.I will call around Monday to eye doctors & my insurance company to see what they say since the insurance may just pay for one exam will also talk to the pharmacist to see if it may be the medication.Seeing some better tonight but not like before Thursday seems like every thing happens on weekends. Thanks for all of your replies.
Papbouv

[Roberta]

I would not even be worried about seeing if you medical insurance will pay, for what price do you put on your sight. See a eye doctor ASAP. Nurses are there to help, but you have to control your body.
Take care
Roberta

[Teresa]

Since this would be a visit for a "problem" it shouldn't be consider as a your yearly exam. Same as going to your medical doctor when you are sick not counting as your yearly physical. It may have to be an opthamologist, however, instead of an optometrist. That is where the insurance may make a difference.

[DP]

You do need to go the eye doctor to check for problem with the retina or with possible glaucoma problems but do NOT get a prescription until your blood sugars stabilize.  When my sugars are high my vision will be much blurrier.  I have been insulin dependant for many years and i have needed glasses for approximately 5 years.  My vision is getting worse (age related not diabetic related still have healthy eyes.  I currently have three pairs of glasses from the last three years and if i am having problems with blood sugar levels i will go through all of the glasses to find a pair that will work that day.  The blurriness typically will last all day even if my blood sugars come down to a normal level.  You will want to have a good handle on your blood sugar levels for about 1 month before getting prescription lenses otherwise you may not be able to use the glasses once your blood sugars stabilize. (Been there done that hence the three pairs of glasses in use).  I am currently going through issues with insulin absorption rates so i do not have the levels that i want  so i am now having more blurry days.  One help you might try right now is to get a pair of reading glasses to use when on the computer.  (Have a couple of pairs at my desk at work for the bad blood sugar days.)  The magnification helps for me although things are still blurry.

[auntydoxzz2]

Will try again, my last one froze up the whole computer!!

Your nurse is correct.  While your numbers are changing that will mess up your vision. If you get new glasses now they will  not work when it stabilizes.  That said, as a diabetic you do need to see eye doctor every year to check for changes. Make sure they know you are diabetic so they look for changes!! 

If you vision gets super weird, losing areas of vision etc, then i would call eye doctor and see one right away.  I dont think that happens very much though.

You also may have times when you feel like your blood sugar is low, but it is not. That will be your body getting used to normal levels.  But once you get them in balance you will feel a lot better!!