Hi, had my eye screening a few weeks back, have now recieived a letter saying i need to see eye anspecialist and may need treatment, im looking for info on what could be wrong and what can be done.
thanks mark
thanks mark
Eye Problems?
- Thread starter squirrel
- Start Date
It's common for diabetics to develop retinopathy, where some of the blood vessels in the retina, dbulge or seep. If this happens in the macula region( where most vision happens) or is severe, the vision may be at risk. The little blood vessels can be sealed with a laser. This treatment is very effective and safe. I'm told it's uncomfortable rather than painful
However keeping REALLY good BG control can help reduce the problem.
Don't worry. what ever need s doing you will end up ok
However keeping REALLY good BG control can help reduce the problem.
Don't worry. what ever need s doing you will end up ok
Hi Mark.
If you want to know a whole lot more about Diabetic Retinopathy take a look at this link :
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Diabetic-r ... ction.aspx
Ken
If you want to know a whole lot more about Diabetic Retinopathy take a look at this link :
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Diabetic-r ... ction.aspx
Ken
Hi, thanks for the replys, if i just have mild symptoms could these go away on there own if i control my sugars better?
thanks mark
thanks mark
Some people with miold
retinopathy have managed to get rid of it by strict BG control. However, Yours may be moderate. My letter from my last screening said straight out that mine is mild and doesn't need any treatment. I'm very strifct on my BG Not seen 6 for weeks. Keeping in the 4s and 5s. Current meter average, from only 1 check per day ( on rationed strips) is 5.0. Hoping for a GOOD HbA1c next month 5.9% in February
retinopathy have managed to get rid of it by strict BG control. However, Yours may be moderate. My letter from my last screening said straight out that mine is mild and doesn't need any treatment. I'm very strifct on my BG Not seen 6 for weeks. Keeping in the 4s and 5s. Current meter average, from only 1 check per day ( on rationed strips) is 5.0. Hoping for a GOOD HbA1c next month 5.9% in February
Mark, don't forget to keep an eye on your blood pressure too, this can make a huge difference in tandem with strict blood sugar control, and the benefits will be shared by your kidneys which also rely on microvascular integrity!
hi, had high blood pressure since i was 17, im 33 now ,every time i get it checked they tell me its ok, i never got dieabetes until i was 30. my hbc levels have always been around 10-12 but last one was down to 8.2. I tried to do low carb at start of year and managed it for 5 weeks, got my levimir down to about 40 but never lost much weight then gave up, levimir dose went back up to 70. Have now started scottish slimmers and have lost 10 lb in a couple of weeks and got my leveimr dose down to 20, hoping i can try to low carb when i get down to right weight.
Hi Mark.
As you are already losing weight why not just reduce the carbs in your diet now and try proper low carbs later. Doing that can also help reduce weight. It has also had the knock on effect of reducing blood pressure to normal levels and my eyesight which was once blurred at a distance has now gone back to almost normal so that I no longer need glasses.
I did that and have lost 3 stone in a few months. Still losing it too with very little effort or costs.
Ken
As you are already losing weight why not just reduce the carbs in your diet now and try proper low carbs later. Doing that can also help reduce weight. It has also had the knock on effect of reducing blood pressure to normal levels and my eyesight which was once blurred at a distance has now gone back to almost normal so that I no longer need glasses.
I did that and have lost 3 stone in a few months. Still losing it too with very little effort or costs.
Ken
hi 6 months ago i had my annual eye screening i then received a letter i had to see a specialist 1 month later had an appointment lovely lady she said i had to have lazer treatment in right eye she did it there and then i was so surprised no discomfort or pain at all over in 5 mins i do have to go back for a check up hopefully all well
Hi, I never though they would just spring it on you like that, makes a change from seeing a doctor then having to wait months to get something done.
hi i totally agree but a lot better than left waiting not knowing what to expect as i had never had lazer treatment before it would of been quite daunting waiting for months and as i said totally painless
Hi,
I am feeling absolutely devestated and deflated this morning. I received a letter from the screening clinic saying they were sending my screening pictures to a specialist and I may require an appointment. They suggested that I may have preproliferative retinopathy which in some cases may require laser treatment. I myself have been low carbing for about 8 months now keeping blood sugars no higher than 7 most of the time and generally in the 4-6 region and I feel like it's a huge kick in the face and makes me just want to give up.
I am feeling absolutely devestated and deflated this morning. I received a letter from the screening clinic saying they were sending my screening pictures to a specialist and I may require an appointment. They suggested that I may have preproliferative retinopathy which in some cases may require laser treatment. I myself have been low carbing for about 8 months now keeping blood sugars no higher than 7 most of the time and generally in the 4-6 region and I feel like it's a huge kick in the face and makes me just want to give up.
Hi BA.
Don't despair. We all get things happen that make us doubt what we are doing. Just hang in there and don't get too downcast. You will get plenty of support on here.
Here is a link to a site with information about all types of Retinopathy.
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/fac ... opathy.htm
Yours is listed and is very treatable, apparently Laser Surgery is the preferred option nowadays. There is plenty of info about this. We have people on here who have undergone this procedure and say it is painless ?
Here is an extract:
Proliferative retinopathy
When abnormal blood vessels form, laser treatment is used to make the vessels 'regress' or go away.
The laser isn't used on the blood vessels directly, but is scattered over the whole retina (pan retinal photocoagulation).
This destroys the area of retina that is starved of oxygen, eliminating the need for the abnormal vessels.
Hope this helps.
Ken
Don't despair. We all get things happen that make us doubt what we are doing. Just hang in there and don't get too downcast. You will get plenty of support on here.
Here is a link to a site with information about all types of Retinopathy.
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/fac ... opathy.htm
Yours is listed and is very treatable, apparently Laser Surgery is the preferred option nowadays. There is plenty of info about this. We have people on here who have undergone this procedure and say it is painless ?
Here is an extract:
Proliferative retinopathy
When abnormal blood vessels form, laser treatment is used to make the vessels 'regress' or go away.
The laser isn't used on the blood vessels directly, but is scattered over the whole retina (pan retinal photocoagulation).
This destroys the area of retina that is starved of oxygen, eliminating the need for the abnormal vessels.
Hope this helps.
Ken
Don't give up! One of the very frustrating things about a change in regime is that the benefits take a much longer time to kick in for your eyes than any other part of your body, and often your eyes can become worse before getting better. This is quite normal, although difficult to explain in diagnostic terms. The dip can manifest itself over many months before improving. You're being tested by your body, but hang in there!
I've had stacks of laser over the years, but my vision is actually better now than it was before. I'm not being blasé about laser - it's serious and not a "treatment" as such, only shoring up existing damage - but it's quite possible to get through it and you need to maintain good blood numbers to get the real benefit. I can still read the penultimate line on an optician's board which is WAY better than a lot of people who still drive!
Keep tabs on your blood pressure too, it is vital to keep this in check in parallel with your blood sugar, especially with ANY diagnosis of retinopathy, whatever stage it's at.
I've had stacks of laser over the years, but my vision is actually better now than it was before. I'm not being blasé about laser - it's serious and not a "treatment" as such, only shoring up existing damage - but it's quite possible to get through it and you need to maintain good blood numbers to get the real benefit. I can still read the penultimate line on an optician's board which is WAY better than a lot of people who still drive!
Keep tabs on your blood pressure too, it is vital to keep this in check in parallel with your blood sugar, especially with ANY diagnosis of retinopathy, whatever stage it's at.
Hi, i heard that too much laser treatment takes away some of your vision width/feild which can lead to losing your driving license. Anyone know any more on this?
thanks mark
thanks mark
In a word, yes. But I'm not sure how much "too much" is, and it also depends where in your eye the laser is required. I've had around 1,000 hits in each eye at each of 6 sessions, which I was told is quite a lot. My retinal photographs look like a warzone, and that's never going to change. However my eyesight is not even close to the limits for driving; as well as good distance vision I got a 99% score in my last visual field test. Just a shame I had to stop driving because of the hypos... :cry:
My first retinopathy screening session reported that I had some minor backgroud changes but nothing needing to be referred for further investigation.
My latest screening came back stating no evidence of any changes at all this time around. I attribute this to trying to cut my carbs (a struggle for me - hmmm...potatoes..numm) and losing over 20lbs in weight and hopefully getting some better control of my BGs.
As one of my biggest fears is losing my sight - particularly as I have had sight problems from a 1 year old - I take these sessions very seriously. So my first results were pretty much a wake up call.
I hope that all goes well for you
My latest screening came back stating no evidence of any changes at all this time around. I attribute this to trying to cut my carbs (a struggle for me - hmmm...potatoes..numm) and losing over 20lbs in weight and hopefully getting some better control of my BGs.
As one of my biggest fears is losing my sight - particularly as I have had sight problems from a 1 year old - I take these sessions very seriously. So my first results were pretty much a wake up call.
I hope that all goes well for you
Hi Squirrel! It is likely some of your blood vessels on your retina have seeped! Controlling blood sugar levels is important. I have only recently been diagnosed with diabetes and am getting used to dealing with all of this. I hope all goes well!
