Background diabetic retinopathy

[isleworth]

I now have it in both eyes, even though my eyesight is still considered good for a man of my age (with or without diabetes). Is this necessarily a one-way street to blindness or am I being unduly dramatic?

 

[noblehead]

No it's not a one-way street to blindness, the Ophthalmologists will monitor your progress and act according if needed. Take a read of the following, it has a wealth of information and advice on diabetic retinopathy:

http://www.diabeticretinopathy.org.uk/Information_for_patients.html


Just be sure to keep your bg, bp and cholesterol levels in check but don't lower your bg levels too quickly if your diabetes has been uncontrolled for some time as this can make retinopathy worse, good luck.

 

[Brunneria]

That's great advice from @noblehead

Keeping your blood glucose as low as you can (for a type 2 on diet and exercise then that is as close to non-diabetic levels as possible) will slow down or even halt any further deterioration.

What is your hba1c?
If it is elevated, then, as noblehead says, bringing it down slowly and carefully would be better than a sharp drop, because sometimes that can trigger eye problems. Not always, just sometimes.

Do you have a home blood testing meter? If not, it's a great way of working out how to adjust your diet to keep blood glucose on target.

 

[isleworth]

No it's not a one-way street to blindness, the Ophthalmologists will monitor your progress and act according if needed. Take a read of the following, it has a wealth of information and advice on diabetic retinopathy:

http://www.diabeticretinopathy.org.uk/Information_for_patients.html


Just be sure to keep your bg, bp and cholesterol levels in check but don't lower your bg levels too quickly if your diabetes has been uncontrolled for some time as this can make retinopathy worse, good luck.

That's great advice from @noblehead

Keeping your blood glucose as low as you can (for a type 2 on diet and exercise then that is as close to non-diabetic levels as possible) will slow down or even halt any further deterioration.

What is your hba1c?
If it is elevated, then, as noblehead says, bringing it down slowly and carefully would be better than a sharp drop, because sometimes that can trigger eye problems. Not always, just sometimes.

Do you have a home blood testing meter? If not, it's a great way of working out how to adjust your diet to keep blood glucose on target.

I don't, but whenever I have been tested I have been just fractionally over the "borderline" and my doctor thinks I'm doing just fine. That is why I was a tad concerned about the retinopathy but both your posts have been a source of reassurance. Many thanks.

 

[Brunneria]

Hi again.

Good to know your a1c is ok , but it makes me wonder why you have developed retinopathy...

Since the hba1c gives a figure that basically shows an average blood glucose over the last 2-3 months, that average can result from different things.

Your blood glucose levels may be fairly steady, or they may be a series of peaks and troughs, swinging high, then low. Both would give the same hba1c result, but one (the peaks and troughs) is much harder on the body - and might explain the retinopathy.

If I were you, I would buy a meter and strips and test before and after eating for a week or two, while eating your usual diet. You will quickly build up a picture of where any problems are (maybe certain foods or snacks) that shoot your blood glucose up. This kind of testing can never be achieved by periodic doctor's tests.

 

[bluejeans98]

I had my eye test on the 23rd of December. Got my letter to say I too have some small background retinopathy. The optician said it was nothing to worry about at the moment. Just ensure I keep BG and BP down. She also said the blood vessels would heal over time. I just have to be a very good boy.

 

[noblehead]

I had my eye test on the 23rd of December. Got my letter to say I too have some small background retinopathy. The optician said it was nothing to worry about at the moment. Just ensure I keep BG and BP down. She also said the blood vessels would heal over time. I just have to be a very good boy.

Do try and keep your cholesterol levels in check too Bluejeans as this is said to beneficial with diabetic retinopathy. Good luck.