Background Retinopathy

[tigger]

Does anyone have this and have any advice to give? I've just been diagnosed with it. I'm 29 and have had diabetes for nearly 27 years. My average hba1c at the moment is 6.0.

Just looking for reassurance and ways to stop it getting any worse.

Thanks

 

[catherinecherub]

Hi tigger,
Please don't worry too much. I think that you don't get an explaination of what is going on and you just get a letter to say that you have it and come back in a year :!: :!:
Read through this article and see if it is of any help,

http://medweb.bham.ac.uk/easdec/back_di ... pathy.html

Take care,

Catherine.

 

[noblehead]

The link to the site that Catherine has provided is a excellent source of information. I often recommend the same site for those that enquire about diabetic retinopathy.

Nigel

 

[tigger]

Thanks Catherine, that is what I got told along with a sheet explaining how it would get worse and could lead to loss of peripheral vision and ability to see print. Since my job depends on the latter this was obviously not encouraging.

Thanks for the link as well. I can actually tick the boxes on most of the requirements with the exceptions of the multi dose system (3x a day works for me thanks) and the exercise.

I guess there's nothing to do but wait.

 

[tigger]

Just to post the conclusion to the story - I had a screening today in the hospital with doctors thanks to being pregnant (should have been about 12 weeks ago but that's another rant). The doctor examined my eyes after the photos and asked me if I'd had retinopathy before. So I told her one misdiagnosis due to astigmatism and last year background retinopathy. She looked again and said she could see how the mistake could be made as I have a normal healthy retina reflex which might show up in a funny way in photos. So all that worry because my eyes aren't photogenic!!!!! Oh well at least I have a new response the next time I get told my a screener that I have background retinopathy "no I don't want 2 people looking at a bad photo, just give me a proper appointment please".

They kept on asking really funny questions.

How long have you had diabetes?
Type 1 for 28 years
How old are you?
31
So how old were you when you were diagnosed?
3 (QED)
And how long have you been on insulin?
Since I was diagnosed. :!:

I'm not sure if this is because I'm the only diabetic with diabetes that long who they've seen without complications in a long time (and long may it last!!!) or some other reason. Feel free to speculate

Thanks for all your support last year.