What does blurred vision feel like with hypoglycaemia?

The brain and eyes need glucose to work normally. When glucose falls, vision may become difficult to focus, seem to move in and out of clarity, or briefly appear doubled. Shaking, sweating, hunger, palpitations, tingling, irritability, weakness or difficulty thinking may occur at the same time.

Most people with Hypoglycaemia notice blurred vision as part of a wider episode, but blurred vision by itself cannot establish the cause. Other eye, neurological or metabolic problems can look similar. If you use glucose-lowering medicine, note the timing of meals, activity, doses and symptoms for review.

Stop driving or any risky activity. If you are awake and able to swallow, check your glucose if a meter is available and follow your personalised hypo plan. This commonly involves taking a fast-acting source of glucose, then rechecking or reassessing as your plan advises, followed by longer-lasting food if needed.

Do not give food or drink to a person who is drowsy, unconscious or unable to swallow. Place them safely on their side, use prescribed emergency treatment if trained and available, and call emergency services. Do not leave them alone.

Call emergency services for loss of consciousness, a seizure, severe confusion, inability to swallow, or symptoms that do not improve with the agreed treatment. Urgent help is also needed for sudden persistent vision loss or blurred vision with weakness, trouble speaking or severe headache.

Arrange medical review if episodes recur, happen overnight, follow a medicine change, or occur without a clear trigger. Repeated lows may require adjustment of treatment, meals, activity planning or monitoring.

Ask what glucose level and symptoms should trigger your hypo plan, how to adjust activity or meals safely, whether medicines may be contributing, and when to use emergency treatment or seek help.