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Background Retinopathy

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DunePlodder

Well-Known Member
After my recent eye photograph I received a letter stating I have background retinopathy as I have for the last 10+ years.
Since they started using digital photography I've asked the photographer to show me the problem area. They always tell me they can't see anything. Nor can my optician who told me "these things can come & go"

My question is;
Has anyone ever been told that they no longer have background retinopathy?
 

Hi Dune, do you use the NHS system for this? I do get a yearly check with them but I also have a private test done (costs me 50 quid) but it does a very in depth examination and they spend a long time with you explaining and showing the diagrams & photo's in minute detail. x
 
Hello @DunePlodder

I’ve had it twice now and also had clear tests afterwards, it comes and goes. I don’t worry because I know it’s only picking up on slight changes so am ok with this now.
 
I was clear first year, had background retinopathy the second year and clear again this year (third year since diagnosis). So in answer to your question, yes I have been told I no longer have retinopathy
 

DunePlodder - Your GP will receive a more in-depth report than you see. That letter scores each eye for both retinopathy and maculopathy. If I recall correctly, it goes something like Right Eye, R1 would mean (and don't shoot me for the specific numbers) you had retinal changes in 1-3 very small areas, and so on it goes.

Why not have a chat with your GP, or look through your notes online??
 
Thank you all. Interesting to hear that some people have been given a clear diagnosis. I have it done through the NHS . The first report worried me but not since.
When I see my "usual GP" (who I haven't met!) I'll discuss it with her.
 
Has anyone ever been told that they no longer have background retinopathy?

Yes. Had mild BR for 35 years then in 2001 changed to human insulin and since then have been able to keep my HbA1c constantly beneath 40. Have never had any trace of BR during the last eighteen years.
 
I too have retinopathy one year then not the next year. I was told by the screening person who took the photos that this was quite common in his experience.As nothing is done when I do have it I asked what the point of screening was and he said it was to get a year on year comparison and that if it got worse consistently then something more would need to be done about glucose levels. I am currently Hba1c of 41, diet controlled
 
BR? It comes & goes in one eye then possibly the other.? Then not...no need for action. Seems to be more "informative" as the camera tech has evolved?

Sometimes I seriously believe whoever asesses this, needs to go to Specsavers..

But then as with BG testing & the consistent use of a meter or CGM, I also wonder if a non D would fare the same, under constant (& consistant) eye scrutiny...
 
I'm the same, i've had background retinopathy for the last 7 or 8 years. I panicked at first but it hasn't affected my eyesight. When i went for a standard eye test for glasses, the optician (not a diabetic eye screening specialist) told me they look for jagged blood vessel at the back of the eyes, and from mine he wouldn't have guessed i was diabetic as they looked fine!
 
veggirl said:
I asked what the point of screening was
Click to expand...
The point of screening is to detect 'sight-threatening' diabetic retinopathy at an early stage when treatment is most successful at preventing sight-loss. Background diabetic retinopathy is not sight-threatening and does not need treatment. It is generally an indication of less than optimum blood glucose control and is reported to both GP and patient so this can be addressed. The best way to reduce the chance of getting sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy is to maintain good control of blood sugar, blood pressure and blood lipids. Also, exercise regularly, attend all eye appointments and don't smoke.
https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/Downloads/pdf/PiDiabeticRetinopathy.pdf
 
@DunePlodder - This is an excerpt from the sort of letter I mentioned. The balance of the letter is preamble/sign-off and patient details, but it shows what your GP should have:

 
Hello, yes I too had my first eye screening letter telling me I had background retinopathy. (Which I wasn’t expecting, as only been told diabetic few months before) then had it a year later, with the letter saying all fine. So yes it can come and go. Saw optician too for usual eye test and they said couldn’t see background retinopathy.
I’m really pleased! Think it’s reassuring to know it can improve.
 
"I’m really pleased! Think it’s reassuring to know it can improve."
@Rose22 It is! My suspicion was that once you'd had it diagnosed, they automatically left it in the letter whether they saw evidemce or not.
 
DunePlodder said:
"I’m really pleased! Think it’s reassuring to know it can improve."
@Rose22 It is! My suspicion was that once you'd had it diagnosed, they automatically left it in the letter whether they saw evidemce or not.
Click to expand...
Oh hmm no my letters where different each time. One with the results for each eye and plan of action, like review or referral. This time with no background retinopathy it stated that and had the results for each eye.
 
Rose22 said:
Oh hmm no my letters where different each time. One with the results for each eye and plan of action, like review or referral. This time with no background retinopathy it stated that and had the results for each eye.
Click to expand...
Oh sorry I see from your original post you are saying as it’s been ten plus years of these tests they still say on the letter you get through afterwards that you have background retinopathy yet when you ask to be shown they say they can’t see any sign of it?!
That is strange! I had no idea background retinopathy could go away until I had a letter saying so, then looked in to it! Why doesn’t a nurse tell you that! Both my results correlate, the eye test through drs where they specifically look for diabetes complications and a general eye sight eye test at the opticians. Both said no signs of background retinopathy. So I would go by what the person looking at your eyes has said at that time.
 
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