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Background Retinopathy Diagnosis advice-

Hi, I've just read your message ( I'm new to the forum) ( well I'm not new I just have never been on it)
I have diabetic retinopathy and also macular degeneration, I was diagnosed about 7 years ago ish, and I now get injections into my eyes usually 3 monthly now to reduce the fluid build up and also had Lazer treatment when first diagnosed, that was a little hard to take as I have always had really sensitive eyes not letting anyone near them including at make up parties over the years.
I would suggest you contact the RNIB, they sent me lots and lots of info about the issues surrounding BDR even though I never thought of doing so it was someone else who advised I should contact them.
My eye site hasn't got any worse over those years in fact it improved my site after the Lazer treatment, the main thing is to keep on top of your diabetes make sure your HBA1C is as low as it can be, I've currently got mine down to 42 by cutting out a lot of carbs ( I'm a slimming world fiend) I have multiple health issues although I'm only 56 including having had a transplant, so I'm on a lot of medication which impacts all aspects of my life, please try and keep your chin up, and keep accessing the support you need and deserve. X
 
I can only echo all those people who report having had retinopathy for years with no consequence - same here. I've had microaneurisms which have cleared by the next trip to the optician or the eye test, so these seem to come and go. And whilst my control was very good in the early years (diagnosed about 38 years ago), I later did a lot of travel and staying away for work and it's fair to say that there were times when my control was at best erratic. I was asked only the other day whether I worry about the long-term effects of T1 and I genuinely don't; these days I do my best with control and health in general, and whilst it's not perfect I still want to live my life (which includes eating ice cream and chocolate occasionally ;) ) and part of that is about accepting that while I'm doing my best there's nothing more I can do. I really hope you can find some peace of mind with what people have said here xx
 
courtanddco said:
Hi, I'm Courtney. I'm 24 (25 next month) and I've been a diagnosed T1 diabetic since I was 11. Today, I recieved news from my most recent diabetic retinal scan that I have background retinapathy. To put it midly, I have been in bits. Whilst my management of my diabetes has varied (especially at university), I have been proactive in managing my glucose levels, loosing weight and even getting active. What really has blown my mind with this news is that after talks with my chronic health care team, we actually reached the decision to LOWER my insulin doses after my latest HbA1c result as I've transitioned to a keto-diet to help manage my levels. I just can't help but thing everything I do now is pointless... that I've been diagnosed with BDR at such a young age, that there is no way that it won't progress and get worse. I've even had thoughts that because of this now, there will be no point in me learning to drive, having children, or doing anything meaningful as my vision is bound to go. What makes this even worse for me is that I have pretty bad vision anyway... I can't remember the specs, but without my lens being thinned down my lens are a whopping 1.6cm thick.

I guess I want to hear about anyone who's been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy - how long has it stayed at that stage for? Can I request treatments such as lazer vision at this early stage? Any tips with managing my thoughts? To add the icing ontop of the case, I was also diagnosed with an underactive thyroidd this week, so I am sorry for the pity party - but if anyone wants to join in, welcome!!!!

Many thanks. :)
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Hi. Courtney
ive had background retinopathy for over twenty years, it hasn’t done anything to make my eyesight bad, the blood vessels will heal if you keep your diabetes under contro, but may pop up somewhere else as long as they are not in the center vision, but having your eyes screenEd yearly or more depending on the eye results. If they find it is getting worse they will,probably later the blood vessels that are leaking. My friend had that done during her pregnancy and she’s had no issues with her eyes afterward, so try not to worry you can live with background retinopath.
 
I have retinopathy and macular degeneration, I have had Lazer years ago and don't seem to have any issues from it, but I do have eye injections every 8-12 weeks to dry the macular oedema up, I've recently had cataract surgery on my right eye and they messed it up, it's been a nightmare recently, I am clinically extremely vulnerable due to a liver transplant and now I've got COVID, I spend more time at hospitals and clinics than I do at home these days. I would request a meeting with your senior eye specialist to get some answers from them, it sounds a bit like you've been left in the Lurch, I'm not a lot of help but I do wish you well and I hope your problems get sorted out xxx
 
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