Background diabetic retinopathy

Kezkez said:

Hi. I'm a 52 year old woman with type 2 diabetes, diagnosed around 4 years ago. My sugar levels were high despite being on two different medications to lower it yet my annual eye screening's always came back ok. A year ago a new tablet was introduced, which along with the others reduced my levels to normal, yet this year's eye screening has shown I have background diabetic retinopathy. I am confused and worried as I have read it progresses and if levels aren't controlled you could lose your sight in as little as three years. My levels are controlled yet I have still got it. Any one else had this? Thanks

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According to Dr Bernstein http://www.diabetes-book.com and Jenny Ruhl http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/ two of the most authoritative writers on diabetes and long term diabetes survivors themselves, the levels that are usually considered as good control are actually high enough to cause diabetic complications. They both recommend lowering our blood glucose levels much further by reducing the carbs in our diets, as well as appropriate medication. I believe them because I recently had an A1c test of 41, which officially in the UK is considered not quite pre-diabetic. I am now identifying more and more health problems that have mysteriously plagued me and that I now believe to be due to the unhealthy levels of glucose in my blood. Since I began lowering those levels with the help of a meter I have already experienced a big improvement in my (in)digestion and my joint stiffness. Unfortunately other problems are taking longer to resolve, but I am hoping that eventually I will see an improvement there too. Both Dr B and JR do say that a lot of the harm caused by high blood glucose can be reversed, but patience is needed! Good luck!

Tagging @daisy1 for the welcome pack.

I have had three screenings so far now, the first two showed retinopathy the second even after a years good BG control I had thought it was going to be permanent, but not so my last screening was normal no retinopathy. I hope this helps you as by my experience we need to persist if we want to reverse things or even just stop them getting worse.

Kezkez said:

Hi. I'm a 52 year old woman with type 2 diabetes, diagnosed around 4 years ago. My sugar levels were high despite being on two different medications to lower it yet my annual eye screening's always came back ok. A year ago a new tablet was introduced, which along with the others reduced my levels to normal, yet this year's eye screening has shown I have background diabetic retinopathy. I am confused and worried as I have read it progresses and if levels aren't controlled you could lose your sight in as little as three years. My levels are controlled yet I have still got it. Any one else had this? Thanks

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Hello Kezkez and a big welcome.

I have been Type 1 for 36 years and have had background retinopathy throughout this..

My last check up was in April of this year at the Royal Free and after having my eye photos taken I later saw my eye consultant.

He actually showed me my photos of the back of my eyes and he stated that he was happy to tell me that all previous signs of my retinopathy had gone and that my eyes were fundamentally clear of this now. I had always had some BR in both eyes, sometimes worse and then sometimes better than the last time but this was the first time I had ever been told that it had basically gone due to good management.

Obviously next time it may show that the background retinopathy has returned but it shows that if you can keep your levels in range for periods of time your background retinopathy should improve along with other complications that we can be challenged with living with this condition.

Even if it hasn't improved so long as it hasn't got any worse things should be ok. Obviously I can only talk as a Type 1 and I do think management is easier if you are a Type 1 as you have insulin to bring levels down if needed but I am sure there are Type 2's here that can give you similar personal experiences.

Also remember that background retinopathy means exactly that. It means it is in the background. Not to worry but just needs to be watched.

Please don't worry, you will get all the support you need here on this forum.

See you around..

Kev

Just seen @JohnEGreen post.

There you go

Im a T2 and have been having annual screens for 21 years. The results have oscillated between “completely clear” and “ signs of early background retinopathy” rather than following any linear trajectory

@Kezkez , there's two things to bear in mind with eye testing. First, it is subjective: the photographs are looked at by people, and one guy might score a mark on the image as a sign of retinopathy, whereas another might score it as not. Second, eyes can heal minor blood vessel leaks. So, it's not at all unusual to get a letter one year indicating early signs, and then get one next year indicating no problems.

1) Retinopathy tends to depend on glucose levels from the last few years so the result may stem from your previous high levels.This is termed 'metabolic memory'. Maintaining good diabetic and blood pressure control minimises the risk of progression.
2) Some of the features that constitute background retinopathy (microneurysms) can be seen for a few years before they finally disappear so someone can get several 'background retinopathy' results even though no new features have been seen.
3) @Scott-C is correct that people (men or women, they don't have to be guys) may disagree whether a feature is retinopathy or not although at least 2 people will have agreed for the result to stand.
3) Background retinopathy doesn't affect your sight.