My five year old daughter, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes a year ago, has recently been complaining of headaches and “slanted vision”. We took her to her diabetes specialist and who said that her vision is 20/20 and everything else seems fine. Is this common? What is the cause of it? What can we do about it? Is there a long term effect?

Slanted vision is most commonly associated with uncompensated astigmatism. Astigmatism significant enough to cause this symptom would also reduce her vision. Her vision being 20/20 does not indicate if each eye was tested and each eye was 20/20. A five year old may be assumed to see 20/20 based on some gross evaluation and not really tested on a standard Snellen chart if he/she is uncooperative or does not know the letters.

A dysfunction in eye alignment and coordination may also elicit a symptom of slanted vision. To prevent any possibility of amblyopia and to assure a normal healthy eye a comprehensive eye examination by an eye care provider, particularly a pediatric ophthalmologist, would be prudent.

CAG