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Atrocious dismissal of eye symptoms.

Wodewarrior

Member
Messages
15
Location
Bishopton, Scotland
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I have been type 1 for almost 30 years now and thankfully have had no significant complications to date, although I confess my control has not been the best over recent years. That aside, I developed a significant floater in my right eye about 2 years ago. I was told by my hospital ophthalmologist upon referral by my optician it was due to a bleed in the eye caused by diabetes although I did not need nor have I ever needed laser treatment. I was told it would be absorbed. Fred out of central field of view but never went away. Recently, about 9 weeks ago now, it shifted back or I had another small bleed. When I attended diabetic hospital review a couple of weeks after that the same consultant again was very dismissive and said it was due to diabetes and would probably be absorbed. This time I was fortunate to have private medical insurance through promotion at work and saw a specialist. He confirmed it was extremely unlikely to be connected to my diabetes and more likely due to a trauma or contraction of the vitreous pulling on the retina which can occur with age. (I am 55) Long story short I am now due to have surgery tomorrow (vitrectomy). I am raging with the diabetic clinic eye screening and am posting this as a cautionary tale.
 
That's interesting. I too have a floater that should be absorbed according to my opthamologist. Perhaps I should seek a second opinion.
Good luck with the surgery.
 
So when you seen the Ophthalmology clinic 2 years ago about the bleed did they not give you a follow-up appointment for a few months later?

Once I developed diabetic retinopathy and experienced problems I was seen by the clinic and I'm still seen there to this day even though I've not had any problems for the last 11 years, anyway good luck for tomorrow and hope all goes well.
 
Wodewarrior said:
I am raging with the diabetic clinic eye screening and am posting this as a cautionary tale.
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Thanks for posting this. My experience of eye clinics is that they are highly compartmentalised: the retina screening clinic is not interested in my eye pressure, the glaucoma clinic says retinopathy results are of no interest to them, and my floaters got me referred to yet a third clinic that deals with retinal tears and trauma but not retinopathy or ocular pressure. So that's three eye clinics on top of my short-sightedness eye tests. I worry that a problem could arise and be missed by three different HCPs before I hit the right clinic ...

Kate
 
I've had retinal bleeds from proliferative retinopathy and I also have floaters. The two things appear very differently in my vision looking outwards.. The retinal bleeds- pre having 2 vitrectomies - bled into my vitreous jelly and took weeks to fade away first as large dark irregular swirls of blood gradually fading to lighter brown areas. They obscured a lot of my vision and didn't move due to being trapped in the jelly. Since having vitrectomies, the floaters I've still got are highly mobile as they are now in saline solution which replaces the eyeball jelly. Sometimes they settle out of vision but if I sneeze or move my head quickly they zoom around in the saline liquid. I've been told the floaters aren't related to diabetes although I'm not so sure myself.

I agree that clinics are sometimes fixated with their speciality and don't take a holistic view which for us as the patient can be very frustrating and worrying when issues are dismissed.

I hope your vitrectomy surgery goes well tomorrow and removes the floaters from your vision. Good luck.
 
I have had a floater for a number of years, nothing has ever been mention about it from the eye screening nor the eye infirmary.

Maybe its time I pushed the matter
 
In a way happy to hear I am not alone but at the same time sad of the apparent lack of treatments in most cases. Suppose it depends on degree of vision being affected. I can't read the large letter on eye chart. Thanks for all the good wishes for tomorrow and I hope it Spurs some to question their clinics.
 
UPDATE - had the procedure last Wednesday and went very well. Just under a week and air bubble has now dissipated. Couldn't believe how quick and painless the procedure was. Instruments inserted via three small ports the size of pinheads. The difference is fantastic. Look after yourselves and keep control. you don't appreciate your sight until it is threatened.
 
I too have a large floater in my right eye caused by PVD about 2 years ago. After a lot of flaffing about by the local hospital I'm due to have the floater and remaining fluid in the right eye sucked out and refilled .. The op is scheduled for the end of June. ...thankfully as I've been unable to have new specs as the floater is in the centre of the right eye and I cannot tell the optician what the clear vision is as the floater is always there. It's an old age thing and mine is not connected with my diabetes, so I've been told and the diabetes screaning people have never mentioned the PVD/floater although it's clearly seen when the eye pics are taken.
 
I'm glad the proceedure wasn't too bad. I hope mine will be 'nice' as well on 26th June. Looking forward to go and get some new specs after the eye has healed up.
 
Further Update - all was going really well, had driving standard vision without need for glasses and visited optician 22/7 to get new prescription for reading. Could read finest of print with corrective lenses then used the pressure test gadget which emits a puff of air and...........bleed. Now recurring bleed, can only see colour, unclear shapes and cant see the chart never mind largest letter on chart! Have emailed my consultant to see if its a waiting game or more treatment
 

Sorry to hear that. I hope it can be sorted for you. Keep us updated.
 

That is unfortunate @Wodewarrior, if they don't reply to your email ring the Ophthalmology clinic up and say you want seen asap.
 
Wodewarrior said:
Hope it went well and you get no complications.
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My op went very well, no pain and the large floaters were sucked out and the doc didn't have to refill the eye. Going back in Dec to see about the cataract as I've very little sight out of the eye and the optician says that the cataract will have to be removed.
 
Almost 2 months later and no improvement. Now seen the consultant again and going through a repeat vitrectomy 22/9 to clean out the "mucky puddle" as he described it and probable laser treatment. Fingers crossed.

@nigelho. Hope you get the cataract sorted out. I believe it's classed as a routine op now.
 
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