Laser eye treatment to help Diabetes

wiggles12

Member
Messages
6
Hi there,

I am new to this panel, but recently had Laser Eye treatment at Hospital by a Consultant who didnt reassure me too much as to what was happening - I arrived at 8-30am for my appt, eventually got seen at 09-30 by the Consultant and was told there and then the bad things that could happen to me, like colour blindness, loss of perifial view and wondered there and then if I was doing the right thing, I know I should have looked into it more but was trying to put it at the back of my mind! - When the Consultant took me in this room, he didnt explain why he kept putting more drops in my eye or what he was doing! - He stopped after about 15 mins and said he was leaving me there in the room and would be back shortly, he came back 10 mins later, put more drops in my eye, walked out and came back 10 mins later again, he then started laser treatment for another 15 mins and left the room, and the same sequence again. Finally he told me he had finished and to sit outside, I spoke to my partner who was outside and he said that the Consultant had been seeing other patients while I was left sitting in the room - I wondered if these events have happened to anyone else, only I have no idea why my eyes were lasered and what it was supposed to do - can anyone advise me?
 

phoenix

Expert
Messages
5,671
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I am so sorry that you have been through this experience without an explanation.
Unfortunately one of the complications of diabetes can be damage caused to the eyes. This is called diabetic retinopathy. The most effective treatment of this is with laser surgery. It's important that any treatment is done as soon as it is needed.
Rather than try to explain it in detail I'll give you a link to the diabetes UK website. If you read that page and the other ones under the title 'eyes' you'll gain a greater understanding.
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-dia ... -problems/

There are many people who have had laser treatment and have no further problems but it will be important to keep your blood glucose and if necessary blood pressure under control . Perhaps that's where you might find some useful advice on this forum so do have a read around .
 

noblehead

Guru
Retired Moderator
Messages
23,618
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
Disrespectful people
Excellent information & advice already from Phoenix, the only reason I think of why he was taking a break was for your own comfort

The laser burns as you know can be uncomfortable and if he was wanting to administer a high level of treatment to the eye then it would be wise to do this taking breaks or doing it over a few sessions...... meaning you having to come back, perhaps he thought he would get it all out the way in just one session for your own convenience rather than his own.

Hope that's your first and last treatment with the laser!
 

sugar2

Well-Known Member
Messages
833
I agree with Noblehead...I think what physically happned was correct, however the bedside manner of the Dr was woeful!
 

steveinblackpool

Active Member
Messages
28
I have had many treatments with laser on the eyes and the only reason i can think why they kept putting drops in the eyes was to dialate them more. I know on a number of occasions they had to re-administer drops with my eyes as they take a good dose to dialate.

They put 2 different drops in the eyes and i think the first one is to numb cos the second lot does sting a little

I was wondering if you did ask any questions because when I go to see the specialist I do ask many questions and they seem quite open in answering them.... its no secret.

It does take 15 mins to dialate and suppose if there was alot of people waiting it would make sence in seeing other patients (I go off to the cafe and come back 15 mins later)
 

wiggles12

Member
Messages
6
Thanks for all your advice.

I did ask some questions Steve but wasnt getting a lot or advice. I also suffer with MS, so do forget what I was going to ask them, I know I should have written it down.

The Consultant did advise me though that when I went back in a couple of months I may have to go through it again !!