Diabetes Health Center
Diabetes and Blurred Vision
Don't run out and buy a new pair of glasses as soon as 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 (80-140 mg/dL before meals and 100-160 mg/dL before bedtime snack). It may take as long as three months after your blood sugar is well controlled for your vision to fully get back to normal.
Blurred vision can also be a symptom of more serious eye problems. If your vision is blurred, contact your doctor.
The American Diabetes Association offers these eye care guidelines for people with diabetes:
- Have an annual dilated eye exam if you are between 10 and 29 years old and have had diabetes for at least five years.
- Have an annual dilated eye exam if you are 30 or older, no matter how long you've had diabetes.
- Get a dilated eye exam if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant.
WebMD Medical Reference
