Retinopathy -worried for the first time in 35 years

[Hattonma]

So I have been diabetic about 30 years. I have already had laser treatment in my right eye. Last week I had the dye injected and have now been made an urgent appointment for laser in left eye.

Tbh it has freaked me out a bit and for the first time in my diabetic history am a bit scared of what happens next. I have concerns about it affecting my driving licence, whether it will work and what I can do to try and make things better.

Looking for anyone else who has undergone this to share advice. I am also not overly impressed with the hospital as I see a different consultant every visit and on each visit I get a different diagnosis ranging from u can be discharged to needing more laser

 

[himtoo]

that is not a very good scenario getting different consultants every time with differing opinions.

it is good you are being prioritised though , and it would probably mean they want to catch the issue in your eye sooner, rather than letting it develop further.

I first had laser in 2002 - 30 years after diagnosis. - all stayed fine until 2012 when i had it in both eyes again.
following that i have had a few injections of lucentis in 2014 in my left eye for a macular odema.
I still drive ( license has gone in for renewal to DVLA a couple of days ago.

since October 2014 I have been wearing the noctura sleep mask which appears to be making a slight improvement at the back of my eyes.

 

[panjara1]

Hi I am 24 and diabetic since 5 years of age. I am sorry I won't be able to help you out with information. Tests showed an aneurysm in my left eye two years ago. I was devastated because I'd never had any major issues with diabetes and I was under some naive idea that nothing serious would happen. My blood sugar levels still fluctuate a lot and I am terrified. How controlled are your blood sugar levels?

 

[noblehead]

Looking for anyone else who has undergone this to share advice. I am also not overly impressed with the hospital as I see a different consultant every visit and on each visit I get a different diagnosis ranging from u can be discharged to needing more laser

When the nurse puts the eye drops in ask to be seen by the same consultant, this is what I do when I attend the Ophthalmology clinic and get to see the same consultant most times.

 

[Hattonma]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Him too thanks for sharing it has made me feel a bit more optimistic about things. Will update following my treatment on Wednesday

 

[GordonMcLean]

Hattonma
I've been diabetic for 26 years now.
I had the doctors looking at my eyes the last few years with 'slight concern' .
Since that first came to their attention I've been put into the pump.
In nearly 20 months since my eyes have basically sorted themselves out because my control got better, I now only need to attend the eye clinic annually instead of every 4 months.

Is your control really bad?
Would your clinic doctor or GP doctor recommend an insulin pump for you?
It may well be too far gone to correct itself now but maybe not?

Good luck though mate

 

[the_anticarb]

I got severe retinopathy after 20 years of poor control, also two pregnancies which did not help. It took a few years to settle down (but this was probably affected by the pregnancies) and I had alot of laser and a vitrectomy but fingers crossed its all settled down now my consultant thinks I'm unlikely to have further troubles.
I too was petrified of losing my driving license but I still have a visual field just have to do the field test every 3 years.
It is worrying but it is unusual to lose your sight from retinopathy now. Can you insist on seeing the same consultant every time?

 

[lizdeluz]

I got severe retinopathy after 20 years of poor control, also two pregnancies which did not help. It took a few years to settle down (but this was probably affected by the pregnancies) and I had alot of laser and a vitrectomy but fingers crossed its all settled down now my consultant thinks I'm unlikely to have further troubles.
I too was petrified of losing my driving license but I still have a visual field just have to do the field test every 3 years.
It is worrying but it is unusual to lose your sight from retinopathy now. Can you insist on seeing the same consultant every time?

This was a helpful post and I don't feel quite so isolated with my eye problems as a result. I've had more laser treatment today and it always freaks me out.