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 cause fluid to build up in the eyes, resulting in blurry vision. The eye's natural lens and cornea are responsible for focusing light onto the retina — when the eye swells due to excess fluid from 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, including white rice and pasta, most breakfast cereals, potatoes, sugary sodas and beverages, candies and baked goods, and fruit juice.

Other Possible Causes of Temporary Blurred Vision

Temporary eyesight changes don't always mean diabetes. Intermittent blurred vision can also be caused by carotid stenosis, migraines, certain medications, eye strain, pink eye (conjunctivitis), keratitis, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.

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

How We Can Help

At Dayton Optometric Center, we offer a wide range of eye care services including 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. Call us at (937) 228-2020.