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Background retinopathy (your symptoms)

Rebecca29

Rebecca29

Member
Messages
16
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi I'm just curious what symptoms you have. I sometimes see tiny spot flashes. Freak me out now I know what they are caused by. I'm hoping it never gets worse.


Maybe a sign of diabetes. Still scary.
 
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I had no symptoms of background retinopathy - it was detected by my annual retinal scan. And wasn't there a year later.
If you have concerns about your eyes, get them checked out as soon as possible. It may be nothing and your concerns will be alleved. Or, if is something, it cab be treated before it gets worse.
 
It was detected at my annual screening too I got my letter 24th Jan this year.
 
I have had these flashes as long as I can remember (over 20yrs). I was told that those flashes were a symptom of diabetes. However I was not diabetic until several years later, though I may have been in pre-diabetic range then. Strangely my first diabetic retinopathy test said none found, most recent one said some mild retinopathy found though I had been in pre-diabetic or non-diabetic range all of the time between those tests.
I'm hoping that they find no retinopathy or at least no worse retinopathy at my next test
 
Rebecca29 said:
Hi I'm just curious what symptoms you have. I sometimes see tiny spot flashes. Freak me out now I know what they are caused by. I'm hoping it never gets worse.
Click to expand...
Background retinopathy causes no symptoms - it does not affect your eyesight.

This is an extract from a results letter for someone with diabetic retinopathy:-
"Your test result showed that you have some background retinopathy. This means there are small changes to the blood vessels in the retina at the back of your eye as a result of diabetes. You do not need treatment at this time and background retinopathy does not affect your sight. It is important you manage your diabetes as well as possible to reduce the risk of developing more serious damage. " https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...eening-invitation-and-result-letter-templates
​
Here is some information from the NHS about flashes:- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/floaters-and-flashes-in-the-eyes/
If you are concerned about your symptoms, you should see an optometrist.
 
Been getting the background retinopathy letter for a few years now, got it yesterday, exactly as above, no detectable flashes for me, not sure if this is good or bad news.
 
Probably nothing to do with it and just a symptom of diabetes then. Still scary.
 
Rebecca29 said:
Probably nothing to do with it and just a symptom of diabetes then. Still scary.
Click to expand...
My consultant ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) who I see for non-diaberic reasons, says the best way to avoid eye complications is to keep bg low.
That is my greatest motivation.
Rather than being frightened by it, I use it as a spur to keep under control.
Maybe you could put this "spin" on your situation? Change worry to action!
 
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