Type 1 & vision advice

Autumn93

Member
Messages
12
hello, I'm newly diagnosed this week with type 1 and I can't stop thinking about the possible vision effects,
I've read up about how you can go blind if you have type 1, is this if you don't listen to advice and just eat what you want or could this just happen anyway? I hope I don't sound silly I've never had any eye issues & had an eye test in February that came back with no issues at all I think I've maybe just scared myself so just looking for advice, thanks.
 

urbanracer

Expert
Retired Moderator
Messages
5,186
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Not being able to eat as many chocolate digestives as I used to.
hello, I'm newly diagnosed this week with type 1 and I can't stop thinking about the possible vision effects,
I've read up about how you can go blind if you have type 1, is this if you don't listen to advice and just eat what you want or could this just happen anyway? I hope I don't sound silly I've never had any eye issues & had an eye test in February that came back with no issues at all I think I've maybe just scared myself so just looking for advice, thanks.

We have members here who have had diabetes for many many years. They are now in their 80's and they are otherwise fit and healthy.

It's all about keeping your blood glucose levels under control. There are no guarantees with diabetes but if you can maintain good control of your glucose levels then the odds are massively skewed in your favour.

You need to look after yourself a little better than the average person in the street and if you can manage this, you'll 'probably' be fine.
 
Last edited:

Autumn93

Member
Messages
12
Thank you I've cut out sugar a lot and listened to my nurses advice currently keeping my levels under 10 which I don't think is too bad as was only diagnosed Tuesday at 30.3 levels I'm keeping drinking water a lot and actually enjoying eating healthy and cutting out the rubbish so fingers crossed I can get this under control. :) trying to keep a positive mindset.
 

JMK1954

Well-Known Member
Messages
520
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
It gets easier as time goes on, honestly. You will gradually learn about your own diabetes and end up being your own real expert. It just takes time and experience. If you have a question, just ask. There are loads of people with type 1 on this forum, so it shouldn't be long before you get an answer. I hope you have already been told about always carrying some fast-acting source of sugar, just in case your level drops. Most of the time having type 1 is a real nuisance, rather than being worrying. Best wishes and good luck for the future.
 

Daibell

Master
Messages
12,642
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi and welcome. If you are able to control your blood sugar it's unlikely you will ever have any vision problems due to the diabetes. You will have an annual Retinopathy test. Be aware that it isn't just sugar that you must control but all Carbs of which sugar is just one example. You can adjust your insulin to suit the amount of carbs you eat but having too many carbs may cause weight gain and higher BS swings
 
Messages
6
Thank you I've cut out sugar a lot and listened to my nurses advice currently keeping my levels under 10 which I don't think is too bad as was only diagnosed Tuesday at 30.3 levels I'm keeping drinking water a lot and actually enjoying eating healthy and cutting out the rubbish so fingers crossed I can get this under control. :) trying to keep a positive mindset.
 

chris2112

Newbie
Messages
3
hello, I'm newly diagnosed this week with type 1 and I can't stop thinking about the possible vision effects,
I've read up about how you can go blind if you have type 1, is this if you don't listen to advice and just eat what you want or could this just happen anyway? I hope I don't sound silly I've never had any eye issues & had an eye test in February that came back with no issues at all I think I've maybe just scared myself so just looking for advice, thanks.

I posted this as a reply a another question - hope it helps.

Hi. I'm not a diabetic sufferer, although my nan (T1) and dad (T2) were. I'm an (mature) optometry student about to take final exams (at some pint with all that going on in the world).

I though I'd offer some help/advice if needed around the topic of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR).

Diabetes is a large portion of our degree as, as you can imagine it's a large part of what we are looking for when we observe the back of a patients eyes. Diabetic Retinopathy is a topic thats very interesting to me due to the family ties and also as it's an area of work where the correct observation, advice and action can benefit patients immensely and have a very positive outcome for their vision and life moving forward. It's an area I wish to take further education and qualification in, to become more specialised in, so I am able to offer greater help to the community and to support the NHS as the inevitable changes occur over the next few months and years.

The crucial part is that you keep your regular screening appointments. The is because visual symptoms generally only occur later on. Diabetic Retinopathy is avoidable if everything is reviewed and spotted early.

I guess it's the easiest thing in the world to say but if the blood/sugar levels are kept in order, then that really is a large part of preventing it's progress. DR is a progressive disease so if you have a little background DR it DOESN'T MEAN IT WILL ALWAYS progress to more severe forms. Generally progression is slow but it can happen relatively quickly if someone is very unlucky.

Treatment is A LOT more effective these days - anti VEGF injections (ocular) are more effective than laser surgery and do not have the side effect of damaging any healthy retinal cells. An injection into the eye always sounds horrific but the eye would have anaesthetic applied (via a drop of medication onto the eye) so the patient is barely aware of any sensation/feeling on eyes after that.

So the important part is that the retinal screening is attended (chase them up for appointments if you ever become overdue). Also important to still have your regular eye examinations at the opticians - routine eye examinations are free to diabetics. The retinal screening is focused on the retina. The Optometrist will look at other areas of the eye also including checking for any cataract presence, checking the pressure in the eye and visual fields, amongst other things.

Hope this helps with understanding the disease progression (or hopefully non progression).
 

Sjayh

Member
Messages
7
Hii.

I'm type 1. I was told I am partially sighted and will be for the rest of my life due to complications.. now, my vision is the best is has been in years. Don't lose hope.
Feel free to read it on my blog... araneljay.com drop a message if you need
 

Hopeful34

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,694
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hi @chris2112. Welcome to the forum. I've had type 1 diabetes for 53 years, with no eye problems until a few years ago when I needed laser surgery for retinopathy, followed by more laser surgery 2 years later. I wanted anti VEGF injections instead of the laser surgery, but was refused it. Do you know of any papers that have been written that I could show to the Opthalmologist if I should ever need any more treatment. (Thankfully my eyes have been stable on my last few visits).
Also, I recognise the importance of regular screening, but my appointments are always months overdue, and despite chasing them up, and making complaints, I always just get told there is a shortage of Opthalmologists in our area. A long shot I know, but do you have any ideas of what else I could do, as I get really anxious when appointments are 10 months overdue and then the Consultant tells me off for not seeing him sooner.
 

Andykopgod

Member
Messages
22
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
hello, I'm newly diagnosed this week with type 1 and I can't stop thinking about the possible vision effects,
I've read up about how you can go blind if you have type 1, is this if you don't listen to advice and just eat what you want or could this just happen anyway? I hope I don't sound silly I've never had any eye issues & had an eye test in February that came back with no issues at all I think I've maybe just scared myself so just looking for advice, thanks.
Hi dude, im new as well, type 2 diagnosed 3 weeks ago, iv noticed my close quarter vision is a bit out of focus, iv got to have an eye screen, but iv been reassured this is just precaution and if i get the diet and excersise in my vision will come back to normal. Dont panic my friend, as long as you sort your diet and excersize out youl be fine. Also check you feet regualarly. Im same as you i got quite worried when 2st diagnosed, but YOU CAN beat this, regular eye tests though my friend. X
 

chris2112

Newbie
Messages
3
Hi @chris2112. Welcome to the forum. I've had type 1 diabetes for 53 years, with no eye problems until a few years ago when I needed laser surgery for retinopathy, followed by more laser surgery 2 years later. I wanted anti VEGF injections instead of the laser surgery, but was refused it. Do you know of any papers that have been written that I could show to the Opthalmologist if I should ever need any more treatment. (Thankfully my eyes have been stable on my last few visits).
Also, I recognise the importance of regular screening, but my appointments are always months overdue, and despite chasing them up, and making complaints, I always just get told there is a shortage of Opthalmologists in our area. A long shot I know, but do you have any ideas of what else I could do, as I get really anxious when appointments are 10 months overdue and then the Consultant tells me off for not seeing him sooner.


Hi.
I'm really sorry it's taken a while to reply, I thought I had but it appears not!
I don't personally know of any individual papers but there is lots of information online that could help. It's usually best though to discuss the treatment with your Ophthalmologist and ask why it's not been recommended at the minute. As you'll be aware with all medication there are side effects and risks varying from the probable through to remote and theoretical, maybe this is the issue/concern? Hypertension is a common side effect of the injections but if you look online you'll find lots of information and research on this and other side effects.
Regarding the hospital appointments I would personally keep calling to try and get in especially if it causes you anxiety.
I hope this helps in some way and I'm sorry I can't be of greater help.
 

JMK1954

Well-Known Member
Messages
520
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
If you are ringing to get any sort of hospital appointment, it is worth saying that you would accept a cancellation at short notice, if this is possible for you. I have sometimes managed to get appointments within days this way, when the delay was otherwise going to be three or four months.
 

Ushthetaff

Well-Known Member
Messages
868
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Mountain out of mole hill makers ,queues , crowds , shopping on a Saturday hmm just shopping I guess no matter what day it is
Hi nd welcome . I’ve had diabetes for nearly 40 years and to be honest my eyesight has got better I use to wear glasses for distance but no longer require them , trying to keep good control of your blood sugars is the key, you will have good days and bad days as with everything , try not to stress when things don’t go according to plan and remember to talk , this forum is a great place for that as I can guarantee whatever problems you’ve got no matter how small some one here will have had them, and believe me when I say there is no such thing as a stupid question when it come# to diabetes , it’s a learning curve , a bit like life really , and we all seem to manage that one well enough,
Take care and stay safe.
 

pumper1969

Member
Messages
11
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
hello, I'm newly diagnosed this week with type 1 and I can't stop thinking about the possible vision effects,
I've read up about how you can go blind if you have type 1, is this if you don't listen to advice and just eat what you want or could this just happen anyway? I hope I don't sound silly I've never had any eye issues & had an eye test in February that came back with no issues at all I think I've maybe just scared myself so just looking for advice, thanks.
Hi Autumn, I'm 50 and have had T1 since I was 5. For the first 25 years it was very hard to control my BG (no pumps, etc), but was then put on the pump 18 years ago which has changed my life and I can pretty much do whatever I want now. The 25 years of poor control meant that I needed significant laser on both eyes, but my eyesight wasn't affected, and the laser prevented any problems occurring. 18 years later and my vision is still fine, I get my eyes checked every year, and my T1 is now well controlled due to the pump (and I now have a Freesatyle Libra which is brilliant). I would say don't worry unnecessarily, the tools to help are great now, its up to you to do your best to control it day to day and you'll be fine!
 

ChamonixRory

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I was worried about this as well but diabetic retinopathy only really occurs when you go years and years with poor diet and insulin management. I was recently diagnosed and was in hospital for 5 days as my sugar levels pre hospital were so high my vision went once blood sugar levels started dropping, its been 2 weeks now and my vision is still almost not fully back to normal but dont worry it will come back. Glad your having a positive outlook on your new diet and maintain this and you'll be fine.
 

Autumn93

Member
Messages
12
I posted this as a reply a another question - hope it helps.

Hi. I'm not a diabetic sufferer, although my nan (T1) and dad (T2) were. I'm an (mature) optometry student about to take final exams (at some pint with all that going on in the world).

I though I'd offer some help/advice if needed around the topic of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR).

Diabetes is a large portion of our degree as, as you can imagine it's a large part of what we are looking for when we observe the back of a patients eyes. Diabetic Retinopathy is a topic thats very interesting to me due to the family ties and also as it's an area of work where the correct observation, advice and action can benefit patients immensely and have a very positive outcome for their vision and life moving forward. It's an area I wish to take further education and qualification in, to become more specialised in, so I am able to offer greater help to the community and to support the NHS as the inevitable changes occur over the next few months and years.

The crucial part is that you keep your regular screening appointments. The is because visual symptoms generally only occur later on. Diabetic Retinopathy is avoidable if everything is reviewed and spotted early.

I guess it's the easiest thing in the world to say but if the blood/sugar levels are kept in order, then that really is a large part of preventing it's progress. DR is a progressive disease so if you have a little background DR it DOESN'T MEAN IT WILL ALWAYS progress to more severe forms. Generally progression is slow but it can happen relatively quickly if someone is very unlucky.

Treatment is A LOT more effective these days - anti VEGF injections (ocular) are more effective than laser surgery and do not have the side effect of damaging any healthy retinal cells. An injection into the eye always sounds horrific but the eye would have anaesthetic applied (via a drop of medication onto the eye) so the patient is barely aware of any sensation/feeling on eyes after that.

So the important part is that the retinal screening is attended (chase them up for appointments if you ever become overdue). Also important to still have your regular eye examinations at the opticians - routine eye examinations are free to diabetics. The retinal screening is focused on the retina. The Optometrist will look at other areas of the eye also including checking for any cataract presence, checking the pressure in the eye and visual fields, amongst other things.

Hope this helps with understanding the disease progression (or hopefully non progression).
Thank you very much that’s really helpful