Eyes and diabetes type 1

[cyrryan]

Hi

I would like to find out the more about diabetes type 1 and problems with the eyes. Hoping someone can advice!! I had hospital appointment recently where I had laser treatment. The doctor said there was no improvement with the laser after review, and decided to carry out another test. This test involved injection of dye into my hand while the doctor took pictures of my eyes. I had no success with this either. The doctor said that there is another test that can be done but decided against this when he spoke to consultant. The consultant advised that it is best to monitor eyes over time.
Hope someone can advice as I don't wish to lose my eyes sight!

 

[urbanracer]

Do you have retinopathy or something else?

Basic advice is basically to keep your blood sugars under tight control.

 

[noblehead]

Hi cyrryan,

I've had the Fluorescein Angiography procedure done when my own retinopathy was active, they do this so that they get a better picture of the unwanted blood vessels growing in the eye.

All I would say is if your not happy with the consultants decision then do ask for a second opinion, but usually the Ophthalmologists are very skilled and will only do work on the eyes if they thinks it's absolutely necessary.... hence why maybe they are happy to monitor your eyes closely for the time-being.

Do have a read of the following if you've not seen the website before, it has a wealth of information and advice on diabetic retinopathy and other diabetes related eye conditions:

http://www.diabeticretinopathy.org.uk/Information_for_patients.html

 

[Fayefaye1429]

Hi I can only say I understand and if you ever want to talk just message me. I have eye problem and fear the worst everyone on here I've found very reassuring

 

[toby64]

Hello cyrryan,
try not to stress yourself out, as it does take time, let me explain in 1988 i discovered i had a lot of refiner bleeding, so laser was the suggested way to go, back then it was all a bit new, and very basic, but i had 3875 laser shots in my good eye which is my right and 2784 in my left eye, i was back at work the next day, and over the next few years it became better and better, so much so that my eye specialist now has trouble understanding how good my eyes are, and how after so many laser shots there has been no distortion i have never had any more work done on my eyes except for a cataract in my left eye in 2006 and things are still OK. The good news is that if you try and keep your sugars under control there is a good chance that things will improve over time and yes i was also a bit disappointed at first but it all change over time.

I hope this helps
best Regards
Toby

 

[Lazybones]

Hi Cyrryan,
I read your initial posting and after reading it I'm not sure what it is that they are trying to find as the cause of you eye problems.
I myself have various eye problems and have had most of the tests done to me that you have outlined, but you need to ask them what they believe to be the fundamental problem so that we can best advise you.
The introduction of a dye into the hand and recording pictures of the inside of the eye was also done to me, but that was to see the effective blood flow in the minute veins within the retina of the eye, and a succession of rapid photographs were taken of the inside of both my eyes in quick succession my a optical microscope.
Sadly for me, I have several other eye problems which are on-going, and am now register blind' so I will help answer your question if you can supply the missing information. However it is most important to ensure that whatever type of diabetes that you have you keep and maintain your blood/glucose at the safe control levels for ALL the time as this will prevent many eye problems from developing or worsening.