Going blind overnight?

[VinnyJames]

I had my eye screening last week and fortunately everything is fine. I told the nurse that my levels were well controlled and I should be fine.
She said not to get complacent as I could go blind overnight.

Is that true?


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[mo1905]

No it's not true and she should never have said such a thing. Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to eyesight problems but certainly not overnight.


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[Yorksman]

She said not to get complacent as I could go blind overnight.

Well meaning but badly expressed advice. Yes, be careful and don't think that one eye check up means you are OK for the rest of your life. No, retinopathy is not that fast and it is the reason eye tests are annual and not daily. In fact, generally, it is so slow that most type 2 diabetics don't notice it is happening.

What I hope she meant to say was that if you do notice any blurry vision, see the doctor. Don't just think that because your last eye test was OK, it won't be anything to do with your diabetes.

But, on the lousy bedside manner of some HCP's scale of things, this does almost rank as high as 'your arms and legs will fall off, you'll go blind and then you'll die', something which one forum member was told.

 

[hanadr]

I had my eye screening last week and fortunately everything is fine. I told the nurse that my levels were well controlled and I should be fine.
She said not to get complacent as I could go blind overnight.

Is that true?


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

I think it's possible to go blind overnight, but not common. If your screening went well, it's even less likely. Retinopathy alone doesn't usually happen suddenly, but a reinal bleed CAN. That can often be treated although it can be a failure. Best is keep blood glucose low and don't worry too much about something that's not likely. If you should be one of the unlucky ones, You'll have immediate issues to deal with.
I wish you well.
Hana