• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Blurred vision

S

Shaz3004

Newbie
Messages
1
I have started a low carb diet and my vision is a bit blurred. I read that it could be that when your blood sugars reduced that it takes a while for your eyes to adjust. Does anyone know about this? or can offer a reason for it, it’s been a week so far, two weeks into the diet. Thanks
 
Shaz3004 said:
I have started a low carb diet and my vision is a bit blurred. I read that it could be that when your blood sugars reduced that it takes a while for your eyes to adjust. Does anyone know about this? or can offer a reason for it, it’s been a week so far, two weeks into the diet. Thanks
Click to expand...
This is part of a link from John Hopkins University:
Another potential effect from diabetes is swelling of the eye lens, leading to blurry vision. If your blood sugar levels change quickly from low to normal, the shape of your eye’s lens can be affected and your vision can be blurred. Your vision goes back to normal after your blood sugar stabilizes. “If you’re getting eyeglasses, make sure your blood sugar levels are controlled before your exam so that you can get the most accurate glasses prescription,”

Patients are all different so the time varies accordingly. It helps to be stabilised for a significant period. In your case it may be a few days more. It is scary, but been there and recovered!! Good luck!
 
I agree, know of several people to whom this has happened. Worst case was 12 weeks, but most were much less. Advice was to get cheap (pond Shop) spec to tide over the BG adjustment.
It didn't happen to me, but my HbA1C was only 53 when I started low carb.
 
My vision fluctuates and somewhere on this website there is a thread about changing and blurring vision via which I learned others have this problem too. My sugars are relatively stable, almost always in range. Although I don't have a cgm, I test my blood for the after-meal peak to see how high I go and about 3 hours after first bite to see if the insulin I took is lowering the blood sugar level as expected. When my sugar is near ten, my vision is worse, and when my sugar is in the 4s and 5s, it's best; then if by accident I go below below 3.3 I see stars. I'm always changing glasses. No complaints though - I can still see and don't have retinopathy.
 
JAT1 said:
then if by accident I go below below 3.3 I see stars.
Click to expand...
I used to get red stars. On rare occasions they would be blue - very strange!
 
Hi I've not posted for ages , I've been through a very tough time . Had endometrial cancer in 2023, lost my house , but moved into social housing which is great , but for months I didn't care about my diet and ate lots of bad stuff. Had a1c back its 117, the highest I've had , refused metformin and started low carb diet 3 weeks ago , feeling better already with finger joints less painful , getting a bit of blurred vision on and off , but I know why as been here and done that before .
I am back on track now and will be having a re-test in November .
 
KennyA said:
Yep, prescription has changed a couple of times - the big change was right at the start but that worked through in about 4-6 weeks. I found that my older glasses were better than the most recent ones.
Click to expand...
I had eyes tested three weeks back just got new reading glasses but they are too strong now since I started low carb , I have gone back to my old ones .
 
Mine have been blurry too after coming from Hba1c of 129 down to 61and yes it is quit scary
I went and asked an optician and told her about it
"give it 2 to 3 months this is not uncommon in Diabetes"
 
Mark Rawlinson said:
Mine have been blurry too after coming from Hba1c of 129 down to 61and yes it is quit scary
I went and asked an optician and told her about it
"give it 2 to 3 months this is not uncommon in Diabetes"
Click to expand...
Hi thanks for sharing , I was scared the first time this happened back in 2017, but once I knew what it was I was fine and I am this time . I hope you are doing good .
 
Happened to me too when I first dropped carbs, my eyes felt kind of “off” for a bit. For me it settled after a couple of weeks once my body adjusted. Staying hydrated and keeping electrolytes in check (especially sodium and magnesium) seemed to help. If it keeps going though, worth getting your eyes/blood sugar checked just to be safe.
 
Back
Top