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Fluctuating vision throughout the day

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celiasjmb

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Wirral
Can anyone give some advice as I'm a bit confused. I was diagnosed with diabetes/retinopathy last Oct following an eye sight test. I was referred to ophthalmologyist straight way and have had laser treatment (6 sessions) which I'm advised has done the job it was supposed to. I was fine after the last treatment in the middle of June. I was started on low dose of medication in October which has been gradualy increased. My BG levels were 10.2 at diagnosis, and I'm expecting my lastest HBA1c to be about 6.00-6.5.

About two weeks ago though I developed blurred vision which improves as the day progresses. I went for a check at the hospital Thurs and was advised, after photgraphs & scan, that I have some swelling in the nerves and new blood vessels with small a amount of haemorrhaging around the centre of both eyes. Being referred for fluroscene angiogram before decision about what to do next. (I had this test before laser treatment started) The registrar I saw Thurs is assuming my vision is changing throughout the day as it is being affected by my BG levels which need to be under control (I thought they were reasonably okay :?: ) and also he felt I don't have good enough vision to drive.

As well as my driving, my poor sight in the mornings is obviously affecting me at work (not to mention the inconvenience of having tu use public transport which is not good in my area). I've searched through the forums and there are many posts about blurred vision and changes over time, but can't find any reference to changes through the day. (By the way, I could see fine yesterday, but was back to being blurred again this morning and my levels have been 5.8-6.0 for a couple of days).

I've to see occupational health at work this week so need some idea about where I stand and whether there's any hope of improvement. Any advice/info welcome :roll:
 
From what you say it most likely that it is high Bg levels causing the problem. Do you know what your Bg levels are throughout the day ?

Blurred vision can also be a symptom of more serious eye problems. If your vision is blurred, contact your doctor and discuss.

Don't buy a new pair of glasses when you notice you have blurred vision. It could just be a temporary problem that develops rapidly and is caused by high blood sugar levels.

High blood sugar causes the lens of the eye to swell, which changes your ability to see. To correct this kind of blurred vision, you need to get your blood sugar back into the target range on waking ...between 4 - 7 mmol/l. and before meals. 2 hrs after meals no more than 8.5 mmol/l.
It may take as long as three months after your blood sugar is well controlled for your vision to fully get back to normal.



Ken.
 
I have not had the visual problems and surgery you have had, but I have found that my vision can be affected by dehydration. How much water do you drink? My personal view is that recommendations for fluid intake should be treated as a minimum, especially in very hot weather. My daily intake is usually much greater.

Recent hot weather may also have affected how much fluid is in your body. This may well affect the concentration of blood sugar in your body. Your figures look very similar to mine and I'm trying to reduce mine further, ideally your HbA1c should be under 6% to minimise the risk of complications.

You might get some information from a website called "What Doctors Don't Tell You". I read about some exercises that can help with presbyopia (middle aged long sightedness :roll: ), I don't know if they might help you. The information part of the WDDTY website is excellent and they often review information long before it reaches the mainstream, and becomes accepted wisdon, it also provides a useful signpost to further info. The forums need a bit of skepticism, however :shock:
 
One of the things I rememberr about the time of my diagnosis( 6years ago) was that once my G levels began to comee down (from the teens) my vision went blurred. It's been fine since I got properly in control.
that seems to be the key to vision, keep those BGs in the safe zone and near the bottom of the range is better than near the top. As a rule of thumb, about 5 is good.
 
Thanks for the info. Although by bg levels are still not great, they're reasonably steady and I think the next HBa1C results will come out at 6.00 to 6.5. I do take a couple of readings evert twi ir three day, before breakfast and two hours after evening meals, and most of the time they're in the late 5.00's to 6.something in the mornings. I wonder whether problems with the new blood cells could be due to me starting in a low dose of Metformin at first which didn't control the retinopathy straight away - infact the nurse at the diabetic clinic said at my first review it was never going to do any good. Interesting comments about dehydration - making sure I drink plenty during the day is not something I'm good at, especially at work.

Although it is probably clutching at straws, the only thing that I can think that's changed over the last few weeks is that at my last review at the end of May I was put on pioglitazine in addition to Metformin - so I'm going to try and look up what side effects this can cause. I haven't yet been seen the GP at my practice who's the diabetic specialist, so I've booked a phone consultation to see if he has any ideas and hope he has a miracle answer!!
 
Hi Celiasjmb.

Here is a link to full information about Pioglitazone.
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100004419.html

Here is an extract:
WARNINGS.
If you notice any problems with your eyesight while taking this medicine, in particular any new or worsening problems with blurred vision or seeing fine detail, you should let your doctor know. You may need to have an eye test.

Hope that helps ?

Ken.
 
Thanks for the link Ken. I'd done some looking on the web, but not found that. It's very useful info that I can mention at my review with the nurse at diabetic clinic next week. GP didn't think there was any link with blurred vision and medication. I'm awaiting my appt with ophthalmologist which should be, if things go according to the timescale they wanted, within the next week, but from my experience and that of other people I've spoken with, eye clinics are choatic and busy, but I'll be pushing for an appt if I don't hear soon :!:

Cecilia
 
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