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

Impaired sight and taking insulin pens

M

Michelle18

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Family member
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi, does anyone have or know of any gadgets to help with magnifying the insulin dose numbers on the Novopen? My elderly mother has trouble seeing them and has injected wrong amount on few occasions. Any advice would be much appreciated .
 
I feel for you, I had this problem with my dad for years and no one at the GP surgery or indeed the lady from the blind association really understood the problem. Dad used to say he needed a third hand as you can’t hold the magnifier, the pen and dose it up all at the same time. They used to tell him to count the clicks but he also was in the early stages of dementia at the time and would lose count bless him.

I did find in the local blind shop a magnifier on a stand but it didn’t help that much. In the end before he went into the care home I pushed for the district nurse to come and do his injections and that worked well until he could no longer do his own meals.
 
Thankyou so much for replying. Our situations are very alike. I think we might have to contact district nurse for assistance at sone point. I was hoping there would be a clip on magnifier for pen but I could only find one which is for ordinary syringes. It wouldn’t suit the Novopen. But I will try the blind association for a better magnifying glass. Thanks again
 
Michelle18 said:
Hi, does anyone have or know of any gadgets to help with magnifying the insulin dose numbers on the Novopen? My elderly mother has trouble seeing them and has injected wrong amount on few occasions. Any advice would be much appreciated .
Click to expand...
Is she mainly injecting at home or also a lot when out and about on her own?
Would a magnifying glass with a built in light be helpful?

1669811827650.png
 
Mainly at home but she has a magnifying glass and she can’t really manage it. Thanks for replying.
 
Antje77 said:
Is she mainly injecting at home or also a lot when out and about on her own?
Would a magnifying glass with a built in light be helpful?

View attachment 57827
Click to expand...
This is like the one dad had, he still struggled a bit but worth a try @Michelle18 does your mum get help from through the GP or hospital from the blind and partially sighted dept? My dad used to get a visit about once a month from a lady who advised on lots of things like lighting in the kitchen and gadgets such as big number phones plate guards etc, they give equipment on loan such as magnifiers etc. (not sure that’s the name as it was quite a while ago for dad, I’ll see if I can find out more for you)

Dad got his help from the ophthalmology dept of the hospital as he was having treatment for glaucoma and WMD maybe it’s worth asking at her GP
 
Found it - it’s the low vision clinic, your mum may be already getting this help but I thought it worth posting a link for you just in case

www.nhs.uk

Blindness and vision loss

Information for people with vision loss including details of support organisations, plus advice about specialist equipment, home modifications and mobility.
www.nhs.uk www.nhs.uk
 
Hi I’m sight impaired and have to give my own insulin through pen. I use large font to write a message. It’s hard but I get it done. I do have super hearing and count the clicks. I do stab myself a lot too! Lol. Everyone that suggested the district nurse are correct. I feel for your mum as it is so difficult!
 
lovinglife said:
Found it - it’s the low vision clinic, your mum may be already getting this help but I thought it worth posting a link for you just in case

www.nhs.uk

Blindness and vision loss

Information for people with vision loss including details of support organisations, plus advice about specialist equipment, home modifications and mobility.
www.nhs.uk www.nhs.uk
Click to expand...

That’s brilliant thanks so much for taking the time to look into it for me. She has an eye appointment tomorrow so will be sure to ask for help there . Thankyou
 
Mr Loopy said:
Hi I’m sight impaired and have to give my own insulin through pen. I use large font to write a message. It’s hard but I get it done. I do have super hearing and count the clicks. I do stab myself a lot too! Lol. Everyone that suggested the district nurse are correct. I feel for your mum as it is so difficult!
Click to expand...

Aw Thankyou so much for reply.
 
Back
Top