All You Need To Know About Blurry Vision And Diabetes

If you have recently noticed that your vision is becoming blurred and you cannot discern fine details, there’s a good chance that it’s not a vision problem, but is connected to diabetes. Blurred vision is commonly linked to hyperglycemia, which refers to a build up in blood sugar levels, or hypoglycemia, which refers to a drop in blood sugar levels. In certain cases, this is a temporary problem that can be resolved by simply stabilizing blood sugar levels with medication or by using eye drops that have been prescribed by your  doctor. 

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3 Reasons For Diabetes-related Blurred Vision

Diabetes that is not managed appropriately or effectively can cause your vision to blur for some period.

High Blood Sugar Levels (Hyperglycemia)

The amount of sugar in your blood increases when there isn’t enough insulin to break it down. This results in hyperglycemia, which can adversely affect every part of the body including your eyes. Swelling of the lens can occur because of fluid leaking into the area. The lens plays a major role in focusing light onto the retina at the back of the eye. When there is swelling, the shape of the lens will be affected. This makes it hard for the eyes to focus, which leads to temporary blurring of eyesight. If blurred vision occurs due to hyperglycemia [1], clear vision will be restored only when blood sugar levels are brought back to a normal range — usually between 70-130 mg/dL before meals and below 180 mg/dL one to two hours post meals.

Managing your blood sugar levels to avoid hyperglycemia is vital because over time, hyperglycemia can cause further problems to eyesight, some of which are permanent. The macula, the center part of the eye responsible for detailed vision, can also experience swelling, which can lead to irreversible blindness.

Low Blood Sugar Levels (Hypoglycemia)

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Blurred vision can also occur due to low blood sugar levels [2]. If your blood sugar levels drop too low, usually below 70 mg/dL, you may experience blurry vision. Blurred vision resulting from hypoglycemia is not linked to changes in the eyes itself, but occurs because of the effect of low blood sugar on the brain. In fact, severe hypoglycemia can even cause temporary blindness. Fortunately, vision changes that are caused by hypoglycemia can be easily reversed by restoring blood sugar levels back to normal.

Fluctuating Blood Sugar Levels

When there is frequent blood sugar fluctuation, it can lead to occasional blurry vision [3]. You may notice that your vision gets better after some time and then worsens over time. Better management of diabetes and stabilization of blood sugar levels can help to prevent or treat this problem. 

When To See A Doctor?

If you have diabetes, the key to protecting your eyes is early diagnosis of complications [4]. Contact an eye specialist immediately when your vision becomes blurry all of a sudden or worsens over time as it can lead to severe complications in the future. Diabetic retinopathy is a common diabetes complication and is the leading cause of blindness [5]. 

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Keeping your blood sugar levels under control and performing regular eye examinations are the best things you can do to protect your vision. For most patients, this simply requires strict adherence to your prescribed medications, as well as diet and lifestyle changes to keep blood sugar levels in check. If required, your doctor may also change your medications to better manage the condition. 

If you need to get your vision tested for new glasses or contacts, you should wait until your blood sugar levels are normal so that you get the right prescription. 

References Links:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2292474/#:~:text=Blurred%20vision%20during%20hyperglycemia%20could,by%20changes%20in%20the%20retina 
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3149775/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3532445/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4317321/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9559048/