Can Metformin cause problem with vision? Is it permanent?

Question

I was just diagnosed with TypeII Diabetes. I test my blood sugar 4 times a day and most of the time it falls into range (<100 in the morning, <140 2 hr. after meal, <110 before bedtime). The highest I have seen was 210, but that is not common.

I never had vision problems before. I just started taking Metformin a month ago taking 1 a day. About 2 weeks ago I started taking it 2 times a day and almost immediately I started to get blurry vision and a brown dot in the center of my sight. When reading I feel like I am crossed eyed a little. I stopped taking Metformin 3 days ago and the problem didn't go away.

I will be talking to the doctor soon. But I just want to know... does any body have any useful information or experienced something similar? Should my vision correct itself or is it permanent?

Thanks in advance!

I understand that vision problem can be caused by diabetes. But one of the side effects listed in Metformin's prescription information says that you can get "blurred vision" if you "do not consume enough calories from food" (Metformin causes me a loss of appetite therefore I've been eating a lot less.)

So I stop taking Metformin and has been eating more calories starting 3 days ago but so far, my vision did not improve.

I would like to mention that without Metformin my blood sugar count was in normal range about 95% of the time. It only goes above high when we eat out (bigger portion of food than normal) and that isn't often.

Also, I would like to mention that I never had vision problems until a week ago when I changed by Metformin dosage froIm 1 to 2 pills a day.

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

Answer 1

that is being diabetic is somethign with organs if you can't keep sugars down has nothing to do with meds. you are taking them but they are not down enough. it will happen just as leg amputation and other such stuff i f you aren't watching and dieting and making things better for yourself. tell him and maybe he can help take care.

Answer 2

I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes about 7 months ago, and I had a eye exam at that time and no diabetes was found in my eyes so that was great I hadn't had no problems with my sight, BUT Check This Out!!! Since I have been taking Metformin I have noticed a pause or interruption with my heartbeat, as if the blood flow is interrupted for a quick second or two something I had never experienced before, it was causing poor blood circulation to my heart. So I stop taking Metformin and now I am trying the natural herbal cure CINNAMON!!! And guess what, it really is working in maintaining my blood sugar, in the mornings it falls between 119 to 127, 2 hours after a meal less that 140-145 or lower so far I have not had a reading that was high out of range. Sometimes you got to be careful of some medications because sometimes they can do more harm than good.

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

Problems With Metformin

Answer 5

I’m afraid there is no simple answer to this one. But there is a clear way ahead. Let me explain.

If you get blurry vision as soon as you start the metformin, there are some experts who say that this is could be a good sign. How come? Well, diabetes affects vision and you could have been losing your eyesight gradually, as your sugar levels went up over months and years. You are not even aware of this change in vision, because the loss is so gradual.

As soon as you start the metformin, your sugar suddenly comes under control and your eyes suddenly cannot adjust to the new, lower blood sugar, causing the blurry vision. The answer therefore could be to lower your starting metformin dose and then slowly, increase it over a few weeks/months, giving your body and your eyes a chance to adjust. The blurry vision could disappear with this.

However, if you have started to experience blurry vision after using metformin for a few years, the answer could be very different.

This form of vision loss happens due to loss of Vitamin B12 from the body, because Metformin interferes with our ability to absorb this vitamin from food. Vitamin B12 forms the protective sheath or insulation of all nerves in the body, including the one that is critical for vision, the optic nerve. When the optic nerve is damaged due to prolonged metformin use, the right solution is to immediately supplement with Vitamin B12.

You should also know that with long term use, metformin also interferes with our ability to use two other vital nutrients, Vitamin B9 and Co Enzyme Q10 in the human body. This can cause a range of side effects – from hair loss and insomnia and heart palpitations to unexplained muscle pains.

The real answer - to both immediate blurry vision and later-day blurry vision – could lie in making critical lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise - and in using natural herbs and dietary supplements to deal with the diabetes, rather than relying only on prescription medicines like metformin.

Answer 6

When I first started taking metmorfin I did not connect my eye problems with the drug but also, as many think, it was the diabetes. I had recently had a new eyeglass prescription just a few months before taking metmorfin, so I was surprised and scared when my eyes were blurry. I ended up getting new glasses. After taking metmorfin for about six months, about three or four weeks ago my prescription ran out and I was out of town so i started taking half the dose and my eyes hurt so bad and they were blurry again. I thought my eyes were getting worse but after several weeks of not taking the pill and not taking the time to get my eyes checked again I decided to look for my old glasses and WOW, my eyes are just about where they used to be. before ever taking metmorfin. I still have some eye pain and yes, I know that the root problem is the diabetes but metmorfin does or can affect the eyes greatly, dose change your vision with higher doses and can cause pain starting it and stopping this medication. I have heard that the best thing to do for a type II diabetes is to exercise moderately and try a fruit diet for 6 weeks. No juice, only water and fruits, which gives you a natural sugar and gives your pancreas a break and there are many cases where things go back to normal. Please note that this is for type 2. I am going to try this but it is not easy and it really takes no cheating. If you try it, let us know how it goes. I am watching two doctors speak about it at: hopevideo.com/Pricelist_for_Bobby_Scales.htm and this eight week program with another doctor here: hopevideo.com/startnew-maintenance.htm just copy and past the link in your browser.

Answer 7

When I first started taking Metformin I had slightly blurry vision that lasted off and on for a month to 6 weeks until my body got regulated to it. Ask your pharmacist because they know more about that kind of stuff than most doctors plus they are free! If it continues I would go back to your doctor. And as long as it did not go away when you stopped taking the Metformin you better start it back up for you Diabetes treament!

Also, what you are describing sounds like a "floater" which basically has nothing to do with being Diabetic BUT I would go see you eye doctor right away just in case! I just got diagnosed with "floaters". It is very annoying but quite harmless as long as it doesn't escalate but your eye doctor can explain all that. If you go, prepare to be (ugh) dialated!

Don't try to treat your diabete yourself. Since you were just diagnosed you have to give your doctor a chance to get a treatment plan that works for you. Maybe Metformin won't be the best drug for you but it DOES work. Go back with your concerns and ask about the floater thing, too. My doctor was "not aware" of any vision side effects with Metformin but like i said before, my pharmacist was.

Answer 8

I had very high blood sugar (according to my last A1C =14!) before being officially diagnosed with Type 2. I had always been proud that I could read the smallest print on anything without glasses at 62 years old, but my distance vision was off due to astigmatism. Within a few days of taking 1000mg Metformin 2x/day my near vision went to hell and I can now barely read with magnifying glasses. My distance vision improved some. It was definitely not due to my high blood sugar but the metfornin.

Answer 9

When you go to the doctor's office, check your meter with theirs to see if it is in the accuracy range. If it isn't, do the adjustments mentally on your readings.

There is no law or rule that meters must be anywhere near accurate!

You may be having either highs or lows that are affecting your vision.

And yes, metformin took away my feelings of hunger too. Get an alarm system set up to tell you when to eat!! Do not eat large amounts, ever!! Even when eating out! You do not have to clean your plate like when you were a small child! No body anywhere is gonna starve if you leave half the food on your plate!!

Answer 10

RE:
Can Metformin cause problem with vision? Is it permanent?
I was just diagnosed with TypeII Diabetes. I test my blood sugar 4 times a day and most of the time it falls into range (<100 in the morning, <140 2 hr. after meal, <110 before bedtime). The highest I have seen was 210, but that is not common.

I never had vision problems before. I just...

Answer 11

NO! it's not permanent. I started on Metformin a few weeks ago with good eyesight. My eyesight deteriorated at a rapid rate, to the point that I couldn't even watch TV. I stopped taking metformin a few days ago, and my eyesight came back. Also my sinuses felt better.