Type 1 Background retinopathy suddenly worse?

[conniecar]

Hi all. I’ve reduced my hba1c quite dramatically recently due to some better advice ( I’ve had none for 3 years ) and the Libre. I’ve been type 1 for 46 years and recently had a cataract op on my left eye ( very successful). I’ve just been for my after check and she’s said my operated eye now has diabetic changes ( had background before ) and has referred me to the clinic. Is this due to sudden improvements in my control or the op? I was warned by the surgeon the op might worsen things x

 

[Jaylee]

Hi all. I’ve reduced my hba1c quite dramatically recently due to some better advice ( I’ve had none for 3 years ) and the Libre. I’ve been type 1 for 46 years and recently had a cataract op on my left eye ( very successful). I’ve just been for my after check and she’s said my operated eye now has diabetic changes ( had background before ) and has referred me to the clinic. Is this due to sudden improvements in my control or the op? I was warned by the surgeon the op might worsen things x

Well? I had read after I was diagnosed with macula oedema & started treatment for it, there could be a link with my "short sharp shock" aproach to managment? (After feeling I'd got away with it for years..)

& hey. We are about the same age & had T1 for about the same amount of time.

I have to admit, when I broached this drastic improvement & it's effects to my eye consultant. He looked at me "non-plussed" & didn't have a clue? But the treatment (anti-VEGF jabs) along with the stable management at the time, did work.

There are also more precise ways to detect this stuff nowadays as opposed to a "Poleroid" picture shaken taken of a blurry picture of "Mars." (Remember them?)

 

[conniecar]

Well? I had read after I was diagnosed with macula oedema & started treatment for it, there could be a link with my "short sharp shock" aproach to managment? (After feeling I'd got away with it for years..)

& hey. We are about the same age & had T1 for about the same amount of time.

I have to admit, when I broached this drastic improvement & it's effects to my eye consultant. He looked at me "non-plussed" & didn't have a clue? But the treatment (anti-VEGF jabs) along with the stable management at the time, did work.

There are also more precise ways to detect this stuff nowadays as opposed to a "Poleroid" picture shaken taken of a blurry picture of "Mars." (Remember them?)

Yes I’m 53 so have had it a long time boringly enough. The optician said the dreaded phrase ‘are you controlled?’ which always irritates me. To which I answered ‘to have it every day for 46 years and have a healthy son and be sane I’ve not done bad thank you!’ Wish they’d walk a mile in our shoes. My DSN says my control is good so I’ll go with that. Can always go a step further though. Maybe a combo of a quick drop in hba1c, statins, blood thinners and the op haven’t helped in the short term, but I’m thinking long term. Yes I remember the old ‘photos also the eye drops that blinded you for a day

 

[Jaylee]

Yes I’m 53 so have had it a long time boringly enough. The optician said the dreaded phrase ‘are you controlled?’ which always irritates me. To which I answered ‘to have it every day for 46 years and have a healthy son and be sane I’ve not done bad thank you!’ Wish they’d walk a mile in our shoes. My DSN says my control is good so I’ll go with that. Can always go a step further though. Maybe a combo of a quick drop in hba1c, statins, blood thinners and the op haven’t helped in the short term, but I’m thinking long term. Yes I remember the old ‘photos also the eye drops that blinded you for a day

Yep, Snap. i hear you..
It has to be "universal" with these guys? They just "pad" out the time. "another diabetic."
I had an ear infection 13 years back & kept loosing balance & hitting the deck... My GP at the time blamed it on the "boogie." Nah... I know a hypo.

I'll tag in @Dark Horse ,

 

[NicoleC1971]

My retinopathy accelerated and was told that although the root cause is high bgs over a long period, a sudden change in bgs can also be unhelpful.
In my case my pregnancy (hormones obviously but much better hba1cs followed by sloppy control) seemed to have had this effect.
Not heard of cataracts having this effect and they are in a different part of the eye but its a good question to ask the specialist!
ON the positive side, early detection and treatment have good outcomes.
And yes give anyone who asks you the Is your control good question a long hard stare!
I normally say Yes - my control is good today but was a bit rubbish yesterday thanks and would you like to see my time in range graph etc. etc.
Overall I am sure that keeping sugars down as well as insulin must help your risks of other complications and perhaps this one's been ticking away in the background and your check happened to coincide with that 'sudden' deterioration?

 

[conniecar]

Yes maybe. The surgeon asked if I wanted to go ahead with the cataract op as it can make background retinopathy worse. I’m not an expert either but it seems a coincidence it’s the same eye they operated on. I’m sticking with my very good control ( I was once asked by the HR department where I worked ‘how bad a diabetic are you?’ ) I’m human like most people. But when I was pregnant I like most women in our position had 9 months of being super human. Best project I ever created! X

 

[EllieM]

The surgeon asked if I wanted to go ahead with the cataract op as it can make background retinopathy worse.

Interesting. I've had mild on again off again background retinopathy for years (was originally told that I'd probably need treatment for it by the time I was 40 but am still managing without at almost 60) but at my most recent eye check the photographer complained that the cataract in my right eye (which has been getting gradually worse) was making it difficult to see the back of my eye to check for retinopathy, and she was going to recommend that I had it operated on just so that she can monitor my eyes.

So I wonder whether it makes background retinopathy worse, or just more visible?