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Background Retinopathy

R

rogervansteeden

Well-Known Member
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54
Apparently i have background retinopathy which they found on my annual diabetic test but they said it will not affect my eyesight and i dont need any treatment but my blood sugars are not controlled ,will this get worse in the future ?
 
Hi RVS.

Background Retinopathy.
Usually requires no treatment, but you should have regular eye examinations by your GP or ophthalmologist (eye specialist) to spot any developments of the condition early.

The other thing that will help is keeping good control of your Diabetes and blood glucose levels.
 
Just a word of warning - if your BG levels are very high and you manage to bring them down very quickly, you can make retinopathy worse!

Nobody told me this when I was first diagnosed. :(

Best wishes
MaryChristine
 
Hi MaryChristine,

I don't think your statement is strictly accurate. Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the blood vessels caused by long periods of high blood sugar levels. A sudden drop in BS levels (as often seen in a switch to a very low carb diet) can make your vision worse because the lens of the eye, which becomes distorted by high BS, has to readjust to its normal shape. However the worsening is only temporary while this readjustment takes place. A reduction in BS doesn't make the retinopathy worse, just the visual effects, but this is usually a temporary thing.
 
Hate to contradict you Dennis, but it is quite well known that retinopathy CAN worsen temporarily when control drastically improves. It is actually common advice given to patients about to start on a pump, which often results in a significant improvement in blood numbers, that things may get worse before they get better. However this is certainly no reason not to improve control, the benefits far outweigh the negatives, although it may take years to realise them!

Also, the role of blood pressure in the health of your retinas is often underestimated. Once changes are first detected, it can be as important as blood sugar in maintaining microvascular health and condition.
 
It has happened to me! I had terrible control which improved rapidly and along with it came background retinopathy and the beginnings of macular degeneration! Oh the joy of diabetes lol
 
Thanks for the info Phoenix, Kegstore and Meela. And apologies to MaryChristine.

I wasn't aware of that report, but it just shows that you're never too old to learn!
 
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