Question:
Anybody else experiencing changes in eyesight?
I am 7 months postop and down 88 lbs. I am noticing significant changes in my eyesight and am in the process of getting into an eye doctor. I was searching the data base and didn't see anything on the subject and wondered if anybody else noticed problems in their eyesight during rapid weight loss. Of course, maybe it is just old age:) — M B. (posted on August 29, 2000)
August 28, 2000
Hello - I tto noticed a change in my eyesight after surgery. You see I had
a codition called Pseudo Tumor Cerebri that caused me to loose my eyesight
last year and i was totally blind when I ad my surgery - I was getting
spinal taps 3 times a month to measure the pressure and could not see at
all. Well after surgery aprrox 4 months laters as my weight came off my
eyesight came back and now I can see. I can now drive again but I do not
drive at night because that is the only time of day when I cannot see.
Your eyesght - in some cases - can be affect be a significant weight loss
or gain - consult your eyecare professinoal asap.//GOOD LUCK
— anitawilson
August 29, 2000
Yes, I am 4 1/2 months post-op and have had big changes in eyesight. I need
to ware my glasses more often now, before it was only when i was reading,i
have`nt checked into why yet, I just put my glasses on.
— nancy T.
August 29, 2000
Thanks very much for the question, and I look forward to reading more
reponses. I am 3 1/2 months post op and am also have eye changes. I plan
on seeing my eye doctor next month to hear what he has to say.
— Paula G.
August 29, 2000
I've been meaning to get to the eye doctor since I'm having problems,
thought it was too much focusing on the computer.
Did/do you have diabetes? Blood sugar changes can affect eyesight also.
— Joyce L.
August 29, 2000
I am 5 months post op and recently went to the Eye Doctor because I could
not read with my old glasses. He told me that I needed stronger glasses.
He also told me I could get a persription for new glasses or go to the
drugstore and buy a pair with the +200 strength. It was nice to get a pair
of glasses for $14.95 instead of $300.00. Good luck
— ann A.
August 29, 2000
Hey all, just to add a few more comments. As a few posts have mentioned,
uncontrolled diabetes can cause changes in eye sight (in fact, that's how I
found out I was diabetic 3 years ago). But in the case of my eye changes
that are going on right now, it's not related to diabetes (at least not in
a bad way). I have been off my diabetes and high blood pressure meds
completely for the past month. I check my blood sugar every day, and I
have not measured it over 100 - it's well under control. So I'm wondering
if losing all this weight has affected my eyesight because I know it's not
out of control diabetes. Anyway, I would be interested in hearing more
comments from people who have experienced this or know anything about it.
Smile:)
— Paula G.
August 29, 2000
I am new to this, so I hope it gets to you. I also had problems with my
eyesight after my previous surgery. After many, many months of pain and
near blindness, we found out it was severe vitamin A deficiancy. I would
rec. that you get yours checked. Good Luck!!
laurel
— laurel C.
October 19, 2001
Here's an interesting side effect to not eating sugar...my eyesight has
improved! It was quite funny to have the opthamologist scratching his head
in wonder (I've worn glasses my whole life). He finally asked me if my
diet has changed and when I told him I no longer eat sugar among other
things, he said that explained it. Apparently, high blood sugar levels can
crystalize around the optic nerve causing some of the myopia that I have.
This is one of the reasons diabetics can lose their sight. As for
vitamins, he tells me to keep up on my vitamin A, betacarotine, to keep my
eyes healthy. Hope this helps you.
— Kathryn R.
January 22, 2002
I am 9 months post-op and I just went to the eye Dr. today to find out
that I need glasses. I don't know if it is due to the surgery and probably
will never know. It kind of makes you wonder.
— [Anonymous]
March 26, 2002
As one of my weight related comorbidities, Pseudotumor Cerebri, a condition
in which the body creates an excessive amount of cerebral spinal fluid, can
affect eyesight to the point of causing permanent blindness. When the CSF
levels are high, the optic nerves can be affected and "squashed".
If you had this condition (which is not diagnosed often enough), the rapid
weight loss can affect your eyesight because the optic nerves are no longer
being compressed. Make sure you go to see an Opthalmologist who will take
the intraocular pressure in both eyes and ask that they give you a visual
field test. I say this because my condition went undiagnosed for awhile
and I almost lost my sight because some doctors aren't aware of the signs
and symptoms of the disease (which affects mostly significantly overweight,
caucasian females....go figure!)...
— KathieInHawaii
April 29, 2008
vitamin A def. get it checked out. You might be suprised mine was very
low... since getting it checked out and on vit. A major improvememt. take
care
— rilesa13
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