-
Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »
Anyone had laser treatment?
- Thread starter ShyGirl
- Start Date
kegstore
Well-Known Member
Join the club! I have PR too and have had 6 sessions of laser over several years, around 1000 hits per eye at each treatment. But I haven't had any for nearly 4 years, have had no bleeds for 3 years and finally have stable retinas which was always the goal.
All my treatments were different, they didn't really hurt but were quite uncomfortable, and it's a bit alarming at first. My vision has actually improved in the last 10 years - my prescription has reduced over that time - and is certainly well within the limits defined by DVLA. It's just a shame I can no longer drive due to other complications. I still get the odd "floater" in my vision, but non-diabetics get that too.
I attribute a good portion of this success story (?) to getting my blood pressure under control, which took a while to get the right combination and dosing of meds. There have been other benefits too (kidneys).
And remember it's always nice to see a dishy doc!
All my treatments were different, they didn't really hurt but were quite uncomfortable, and it's a bit alarming at first. My vision has actually improved in the last 10 years - my prescription has reduced over that time - and is certainly well within the limits defined by DVLA. It's just a shame I can no longer drive due to other complications. I still get the odd "floater" in my vision, but non-diabetics get that too.
I attribute a good portion of this success story (?) to getting my blood pressure under control, which took a while to get the right combination and dosing of meds. There have been other benefits too (kidneys).
And remember it's always nice to see a dishy doc!
cugila
Master
- Messages
- 10,272
- Location
- Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
- Dislikes
- People who are touchy.......feign indignation at the slightest thing. Hypocrites, bullies and cowards.
Hi shygirl.
Here is a link to some information about treating diabetic retinopathy.
Link: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Diabetic-r ... tment.aspx
As for your 'white coat syndrome' and inflated BP readings ? Why not buy the best BP monitor you can for home use and keep a record of your own readings. No stress.
That is what I did because of the same condition. BP was always way higher than any home readings - even though I use the identical machines as the GP's use. They now accept my readings because they are consistent. Only way this is diagnosed is with a 24 hr BP monitor.
Ken.
Here is a link to some information about treating diabetic retinopathy.
Link: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Diabetic-r ... tment.aspx
As for your 'white coat syndrome' and inflated BP readings ? Why not buy the best BP monitor you can for home use and keep a record of your own readings. No stress.
That is what I did because of the same condition. BP was always way higher than any home readings - even though I use the identical machines as the GP's use. They now accept my readings because they are consistent. Only way this is diagnosed is with a 24 hr BP monitor.
Ken.
kegstore
Well-Known Member
ShyGirl
I don't think laser will do anything for areas of vision that have already gone, it's intended as a shoring up exercise to prevent further retinal damage, not a cure.
"Hits" refers to the number of times the laser is fired at the retina. The figure I quoted sounds like a lot (errr, actually it is quite high!) and subsequent photos of your retina look a bit like a battlefield, but the laser is tiny. Laser has made no actual difference to my perceived vision, but I know that inside my eyes things are a lot healthier and more secure than they were 10 years ago.
Always remember though that laser is not a cure. It is preventing the damage already done from getting any worse, but it does have its limits. To reduce the likelihood of future problems you HAVE to get control of blood sugar and blood pressure.
As Ken says, buy the best blood pressure monitor you can. Mine cost £100 but is well worth it. I take readings randomly in order to maintain an overall picture of what's happening. All this of course after having had the 24hr monitor to identify if there is a problem in the first place.
I don't think laser will do anything for areas of vision that have already gone, it's intended as a shoring up exercise to prevent further retinal damage, not a cure.
"Hits" refers to the number of times the laser is fired at the retina. The figure I quoted sounds like a lot (errr, actually it is quite high!) and subsequent photos of your retina look a bit like a battlefield, but the laser is tiny. Laser has made no actual difference to my perceived vision, but I know that inside my eyes things are a lot healthier and more secure than they were 10 years ago.
Always remember though that laser is not a cure. It is preventing the damage already done from getting any worse, but it does have its limits. To reduce the likelihood of future problems you HAVE to get control of blood sugar and blood pressure.
As Ken says, buy the best blood pressure monitor you can. Mine cost £100 but is well worth it. I take readings randomly in order to maintain an overall picture of what's happening. All this of course after having had the 24hr monitor to identify if there is a problem in the first place.
kegstore
Well-Known Member
Forgot to mention earlier - sorry to keep bombarding you with info - but if you have bleeds in your eye, although they're scary they're not permanent, and the black/brown "spider's web" you see will fade after a few weeks and eventually disappear completely. The laser will prevent this from recurring, and in combination with all the measures described in the thread, can make a real difference to your long-term prognosis. The progress is slow, but definite!
I nearly lost my sight too in 2003 because of all this, but was brought back from the brink and can now read the penultimate line on the optician's letters board with ease (and my normal glasses!).
I nearly lost my sight too in 2003 because of all this, but was brought back from the brink and can now read the penultimate line on the optician's letters board with ease (and my normal glasses!).
