Fluctuating eyesight

[Haileson]

Hi

I was diagnosed with diabetes in March this year. I was prescribed Metformin which I have been taking ever since. When I first started the Merformin my eyesight improved dramatically to the point where for distances, I could see better without my glasses but could not read the newspaper. I went to the opticians who prescribed new lenses and withthe frames cost over £300. This was fine for the first few weeks but I know find that my sight seems to have reverted back to its original prescription most of the time. I say most of the time because on some days it is definitely different from the previous day and by some distance. I have had a retininal screening at the opticians and told everything was ok. I do have another one that was pre-booked by my diabetic nurse, so I will go for a second opinion. I was not given a blood sugar monitor as I was advised this will be reviewed after 3 months. Any advice would be most welcomed.

 

[phoenix]

I could see better without my glasses but could not read the newspaper. I went to the opticians who prescribed new lenses and withthe frames cost over £300

Ouch, did the optician know that you had just been diagnosed? This is a well known phenomena and mostly opticians refuse to prescribe just after diagnosis.
When your glucose levels are high, the glucose in the fluids in your eyes also rises, to equalise levels more water is drawn into the eye through osmosis. This extra fluid distorts the shape of the lens and you have blurry vision or sight changes. As glucose levels fall the fluid level in the lens changes again , sometimes the shape distorting the other way and you can become very much more far sighted. This is temporary and eventually things settle down and you get back to what your eyes should have been like without the diabetes.
If your glucose levels continue to change on a daily basis then you can get get fluctuations in vision.

 

[Haileson]

Thanks for that explanation. I did inform the optician about the recent diagnosis. I was told that if there were any significant changes in the next three months he will change the prescription free of charge. However he believes that the changes are due to inadequate control on my part and the prescripton is accurate. This might be true as having went on a course for people recently diagnosed one of the common themes was our distinct lack of knowledge and understanding of diabetic control. The other common theme being the lack of understandable information and support from health professional. Unfortunately I would say that is also my experience. It is a situation of if you don't ask you don't necessarily get told. The problem is knowing what to ask and this is where this forum is invaluable. Again many thanks for the explanation.