[gunner]

First off let me say that I realize that this should probably go in the "Eyes" forum but it seems as if this one gets much more traffic than any other one.
I am newly dx'd and am having a real issue with my eyes. I am 42 and I know my eyes are getting a little bit old and have had a bit of a problem with my close-up vision. Before I was dx'd I noticed that I was having a hard reading things such as the mint stamp on a coin or anything else with very small type. I have bought some drugstore magnifying eye-glasses. In the past 1.25 or 1.5 was all that was necessary. A couple of weeks ago my distance vision got very blurry (along with a couple of other symptoms) and I went to see the Dr. My b/s was over 550 and soon after dx'd my vision cleared up (as my b/s came down). After the first couple of days my b/s average has been about 94 but my close-up vision has gotten extremely blurry. As a matter of fact I found myself needing to wear 2 pair of 1.5 glasses to read the computer. I just bought a pair of 2.75 and that is much better. I even called the Dr., actually I am dealing with the Licensed Nurse Practioner and she indicated that this is normal and to call if my vision got worse. I was dx'd two weeks ago today and my close-up vision has been blurry for a week now. My question is, is this mormal? I understand that we are all individuals and "my experience may vary", but does this sound right? My Dr. has an insulin pump and deals with all diabetic patient for the 5 or 6 Dr's in his office but his LNP deals with all the newly dx'ed patients.
Your help will be greatly appreciated. I am still in a state of, I don't know, what do you call it, FREAKING OUT, but my vision is a very realy problem.

Thanks,
Craig

[nonnymouse]

You should go to a diabetic retinologist ASAP to have your eyes checked in case the retina in the back of the eye has been "pushed up" from your previous high sugar levels. If it was
pushed up, it could have changed your vision and made it blurry.

The blurry vision may recede or may get worse if there is any damage in the back of your eye.

My husband went through something similar to what you have, and he had to have laser surgery in the back of his eyes to stop the bleeding because his high sugar reading had damaged the very tiny blood vessels that feed the eye. My husband has been a Type 2 since 1995, and on insulin for the past 4 years. He had the eye surgery 4 months ago.

Don't want to scare you, but would be good for you to find out for your own well being, and for the mental relief if there's nothing wrong.

Susan

[rzrbks]

nonnymouse

You should go to a diabetic retinologist ASAP to have your eyes checked in case the retina in the back of the eye has been "pushed up" from your previous high sugar levels.

At worst, you should get to a Opthalmologist , not Optometrist, who has experience in dealing with Diabetics.

They do need to check and see if there is damage to your eyes but most eye specialists I have dealt with will want to check you for damage--make sure there isn't any--then check you again after you've had your B/Gs under Good Contol for at least 3 months. Part of this I know 'cause my old man was a Rehab Counselor for the Blind.

[Harold]

At 42 it is normal to have blurry near vision, especially if you've been looking at far away objects or if it's later in the day. Still with a bg over 550 your doc should be referring you to an Opthamologist as soon as he figure you have stabalized. Be sure to ask the next time you go in to see him. A little advice for when you go in to have your eyes check. Make sure your bg's are in the normal range and take your meter with you. Some doctors will not check your eyes for corrective lenses unless you can prove your not high. High bg's will throw off their test.

[Belinda]

Make an appointment with the optomologist. Now that you are diabetic you should have your eyes checked at least 3 times a year. Yes another thing on the "DIABETIC list to do!" but at least you will have some piece of mind. You may just need a pair of glasses. Good Luck

[lgvincent]

I'm told it's very common for people to need bi-focals after the age of 40 so that may be part of the problem. As the other's have said, it would probably be best to see an opthalmologist (hope I spelled that close to being correct).

[Shalyndria]

I'll 2nd, 3rd, and 4th everyone else; make an appointment or have your GP refer you to an Ophthalmologist. You should be checked by one at least once a year with Diabetes. And having a specialist look into the problem may alleviate your panic.

Shy

[gunner]

The Dr. did say that he would be referring me to a Opthalmologist, and get me a prescription to attend a diabetic education program and several other things, the day I was dx'ed. I guess maybe he's waiting to send me until my bgs are normal. I go back to the Dr. Tuesday so I'll be sure to ask him. I'm just a little paranoid about loosing my sight.
Thanks to everyone who replied.

Cheers,
Craig

[mg_2204]

... Paranoid? NEVER! Your sight is probably the most precious thing you have.

Marie

[claymesser]

Hi, Craig
Been diab. going on two yrs and have experienced some vision changes. I'm 58 and have worn glasses since I was 40 but my vision got somewhat eratic (worse) after onset of diab. My bg is "normal" and stable but still have ocasions when my vision gets worse, temporairly. I work at night tho and sometime sleep is not good in the daytime and this may have a lot to do with it. My Dr. wants me to see an Opthalmologist once a yr. Hang in there and don't hesitate to ask questions. clay

[sand-not-oil]

I was dx on a Monday with a 24(432) level, and I no problem with my vision, but a couple of days later after being very strict with diet, my eyes went completely blurry when looking at far away stuff such as road signs, which didn't help when trying to find my way to a job interview in a strange land.

It seriously freaked me out, but I had an appointment on the Friday at the diabetes clinic, and told my lady about it, and she said that it was a common reaction to a sudden change of blood sugar levels. Seeing that I had been sooooo high for soooooo long my body didn't cope quickly enough, hence the blur.
The blur went away pretty quickly, and all my tests so far have shown no damage to my retinas because of this, so don't freak out about it, but I agree with all the others to go see a professional and get it checked out