Diabetic Maculopathy

[andrewa]

i recently had my eye scan and was told by letter that I was showing signs of maculopathy.
I have subsequently received an appointment to attend a local eye clinic. I am a bit deflated by this as my blood glucose reading for the past year and a half has been excellent as has my BP and cholesterol. I am excercising regulary ( walk 4 miles a day, swim and cycle) . I've also lost a bit of weight.
I keep reading that he best way to slow down or even reverse eye symptoms is to do all the above. Can anyone offer a bit of moral support and advice on this? Incidentally I have had background retinopathy for 3 or 4 years now.
Thanks

 

[Dark Horse]

Firstly, no screening test is 100% accurate. You won't know if you have any significant changes until you have undergone further tests.

Secondly, the state of your retinopathy is thought to be based on what your diabetic control was in the past, not what it is at present. If it does turn out that you have significant changes, these are likely to have arisen from conditions that existed over a year ago. By continuing to maintain good diabetic control, you are reducing the risk of significant retinopathy in the future.

Thirdly, it's unfortunate but some people will get significant retinopathy despite their best efforts at diabetic control, probably due to individual genetics. However, maintaining good diabetic control minimises the extent of this and is likely to improve the success of any treatment needed.

 

[andrewa]

Firstly, no screening test is 100% accurate. You won't know if you have any significant changes until you have undergone further tests.

Secondly, the state of your retinopathy is thought to be based on what your diabetic control was in the past, not what it is at present. If it does turn out that you have significant changes, these are likely to have arisen from conditions that existed over a year ago. By continuing to maintain good diabetic control, you are reducing the risk of significant retinopathy in the future.

Thirdly, it's unfortunate but some people will get significant retinopathy despite their best efforts at diabetic control, probably due to individual genetics. However, maintaining good diabetic control minimises the extent of this and is likely to improve the success of any treatment needed.

Thanks Dark Horse there's always something to learn with Diabetes!

 

[NinaB73]

I agree with @Dark Horse there are lots of different factors associated with retinopathy and maculopathy and many of these good things that you are doing will help with the outcome no doubt.
I have both and it can be down to lots of factors such a not so good control in the past but also I have learnt that you can have a fairly good A1c but if your sugar levels fluctuate a lot from highs to lows regularly, this can be a contributing factor.
A scan is just the first step and I have also learnt that having a real person examining your eyes is often much more informative so don't be scared about seeing an eye specialist as they will be able to tell you in real terms what is going on. As scary as it is information is key. Good luck

 

[56activeandhealthy]

I attended my local hospital to have a second eye scan and everything was ok, it is very scary/worrying when you get a letter saying you have to go for a second appointment, try and stay positive, I'm sure you will be fine.

 

[andrewa]

Thanks for all the replies , they are reasurring!

 

[Omnipod]

I have just got that very letter today. Im a bit surprised as I do workout, I try keep my BG within a normal range. My HBA1c is between 7 and 8. Feeling so deflated and stressed by this.

 

[Gloucestergirl]

I have had diabetic maculopathy for at least a year and before that it was retinopathy. This has meant quite a few scans and laser treatment, a few short flashes of the laser just to one eye, about 12, to over 200 flashes a couple of times more recently. You are blinded for a few seconds after but I didn't feel any pain or discomfort at all during it and no problems later. One thing you need to be careful of is not to panic and try and reduce your sugar levels too quick as it can make it worse. One quote on a website says "Be especially vigilant about sudden changes in blood sugar levels. Even sudden improvement can trigger problems with retinopathy. Strive to keep your blood sugar levels on an even keel at all times."

One of the signs that I have with maculopathy wasn't the blind spot in my central vision that is often mentioned, I haven't had that yet but it was when I look at straight horizontal lines or edges e.g. looking at the top edge of the TV and seeing a dip in the middle but it doesn't happen all the time, perhaps higher sugar levels make it worse. I don't know whether it's to do with the maculopathy but I also get double vision but only if I look directly at an object and move my head slightly to the side and see two of what I was looking at. If I cover one eye it goes back to one object (it makes TV watching very interesting!)

 

[dancer]

I have just got that very letter today. Im a bit surprised as I do workout, I try keep my BG within a normal range. My HBA1c is between 7 and 8. Feeling so deflated and stressed by this.

I got the same letter last year and eventually saw a specialist. I was worried that, after 40 years, it would be confirmed that I had diabetic complications. I was so relieved when the consultant told me that there was no sign of whatever the retinal screening had found. I got the all clear and presume many others are the same. Hopefully you will also get the all clear. I won't say "Don't worry" as I know it's the natural thing to do, but try not to dwell on it too much. One thing my diabetes consultant told me, before I saw the specialist, was that diabetic maculopathy was the best eye complication to get as, if treatment was required, it wouldn't be too bad. That didn't exactly make me feel better but took a little bit of the weight off my shoulders. Good luck when you see your specialist!

 

[Omnipod]

I got the same letter last year and eventually saw a specialist. I was worried that, after 40 years, it would be confirmed that I had diabetic complications. I was so relieved when the consultant told me that there was no sign of whatever the retinal screening had found. I got the all clear and presume many others are the same. Hopefully you will also get the all clear. I won't say "Don't worry" as I know it's the natural thing to do, but try not to dwell on it too much. One thing my diabetes consultant told me, before I saw the specialist, was that diabetic maculopathy was the best eye complication to get as, if treatment was required, it wouldn't be too bad. That didn't exactly make me feel better but took a little bit of the weight off my shoulders. Good luck when you see your specialist!

Thank you. I bought some eye vitamins yesterday so doing what I can while waiting