Have you ever gotten up from the table after enjoying a meal and noticed that things appeared fuzzy or blurry? If so, you may have experienced a temporary spike in blood sugar that affected your eyes.

If your vision is often blurred after meals, you should schedule a visit to your optometrist and general practitioner to rule out diabetes and other conditions.
 

The Link Between Blood Sugar and Vision

Diabetes is characterized by excessively high blood sugar levels. In some people it causes food to be digested faster than usual, leading to rapid spikes in blood sugar. Elevated blood sugar can lead to fluid to build up in the eyes, resulting in blurry vision.

The eye's natural crystalline lens and cornea are responsible for focusing light onto the retina for clear vision. The lens changes its shape to accommodate focusing on near or far objects. In some cases, when the eye swells due to excess fluid resulting from the high blood sugar, it temporarily doesn't focus light with the same accuracy.

Foods that are high in sugar and other carbohydrates are most likely to cause blood sugar to spike. Some examples include:

• White rice and pasta

• Most breakfast cereals

• Potatoes in all forms

• Sugary sodas and beverages

• Candies and baked goods

• Fruit juice

Other Possible Causes of Temporary Blurred Vision

Temporary eyesight changes don't always mean diabetes. Intermittent blurred vision can be caused by other problems or conditions, including:

• Carotid stenosis

• Migraines

• Certain medications

• Eye strain

• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)

• Keratitis

• Glaucoma

• Macular degeneration

Many of these conditions will also present with symptoms other than blurred vision, so be sure to be open with your optometrist if you experience any unusual visual symptoms.

If you notice blurred vision only following a high-carb meal, it may be worth tracking your meals and symptoms to try and find a pattern. This information will be valuable for your optometrist and other health care professionals.
 

How We Can Help 

At Dr. Tonya D. Lindsell & Associates, we offer a wide range of eye care services, such as eye exams and eye disease management, including diabetic eye disease. If you're concerned about temporary blurred vision after eating or any other visual symptoms, contact us to schedule your comprehensive eye exam.

If signs of diabetes are discovered during your visit, don't worry. We'll explain the next steps to take, to ensure the best possible outcome. Our goal is to provide top-notch eye care delivered with a smile for all of our patients.
 

To schedule your eye examnear you, call Dr. Tonya D. Lindsell & Associates in Cincinnati today!