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

Eye Test with Optician.

Guzzler

Master
Messages
10,577
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Poor grammar, bullying and drunks.
Good afternoon, folks.
October of last year I had an opticians appt and was given a new prescription. My ordinary sight hadn't changed much but my reading sight had so I got two new pairs. I was dx with T2 late April of this year so I am wondering, now that my bg is under much better control, and planning to treat myself to a spare pair of specs should I have my eyes tested again? Even if I have to pay for a second test, I think it would be wise.
 
I would.
 
Nothing to lose by having another test. With a bit of luck it may be free, although the NHS has reduced the free sight tests for diabetics from one year to 2 years. I still go every year, and most opticians offer free tests as part of their marketing anyway.
 
Perhaps it might be a good idea to discuss with the optician how long it might take for any changes to settle? I imagine that most of the pressure in the eye from excess sugar would resolve fairly quickly after the BG reduction, but I wonder if it might take some time for the eye shape to really stabilise? It would be a pity to get new glasses and then find that further alterations to your eyes are still taking place.
 
This is a very interesting question. I am still.switching between reading glasses and can sometimes read without them. Its driving me nuts.
I really dont mind getting new ones but its the difference over a couple of days thats so irritating.
If.you go, guzzler, could you kindly let me know what they say??!!!
Thanks!
 
I was told it only takes a few weeks for your eyesight to stabilise but that is after your BG has stabilised. So if your BG is still changing it is better to wait if you can, or get some cheap glasses to tide you over. I went to Sicily and even after a couple of days of pasta and pizza (I was on holiday!) I couldn't drive the hire car safely at night. So I have no doubt it does affect your eyesight. I went back to lowish carb diet and my eyesight was back to normal by the end of the 2 week holiday.
 

So does that mean if you are still actively trying to lower your hbalc your eyesight is still in flux?
Thanks !
 
Kentoldlady1 said:
So does that mean if you are still actively trying to lower your hbalc your eyesight is still in flux?
Thanks !
Click to expand...
In my opinion, realistically it would depend on the scale of change you are expecting to achieve. If you have a high HbA1c and have just started a low carb diet or have just started on BG lowering drugs then your eyesight is probably going to change. If you are fine tuning your diet hoping to reduce your HbA1c from say 44 to 42 then probably it won't make much difference.
 
Kentoldlady1 said:
So does that mean if you are still actively trying to lower your hbalc your eyesight is still in flux?
Thanks !
Click to expand...

I recently attended an eye screening session. My vision is a bit blurry, had been recommended glasses more than a decade ago but have never wore them. Asked about getting tests done and was told that it was frequent changes in BG that mostly caused issues and to wait until had started to get my levels under control. I might have mis-understood but I took that as fine to be tested when lowering but not ideal if levels were still uncontrolled.
 
Will do. My birthday next month and I was thinking around that time (mid November). I may leave it until Christmas if the optician deems it better.
 

Thanks for that. It makes sense.
 
Guzzler said:
Will do. My birthday next month and I was thinking around that time (mid November). I may leave it until Christmas if the optician deems it better.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I might have to go before that cos its driving me potty. Had my retinopathy test recently and thats all good. Think it must be the change in bgl. Thanks for reminding me to do something about it, guzzler, instead of just sitting about moaning.x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…