Howdy

Hi there. Diagnosed with type 1 about 9 years ago. Rethinopathy was discovered in this year's scan but no action necessary (6 or 7 months ago). One eye has been a bit sore in the mornings lately and there's a bit of leakage, bloodshot so went to my GP yesterday. He seemed concerned and has referred me urgently to an opthamologist. A friend of mine went blind with untreated diabetes. My levels are ok, sometimes high in the morning (8 or 9) but this has really spooked me. Does anyone know about how quick the onset of blindness can happen?

Thanks all.

Managed to get a quick appointment and was seen yesterday. To my relief, the opthamologist said there were no issues at all. I asked why the GP had shown such concern. In short, she said it would take a prolonged period (years) of neglect for blindness to occur. GP got spooked because they had neither the equipment nor expertise, what would spook a GP wouldn't spook an opthamologist. I also asked about my yearly check which had highlighted changes in my eyes. She said there was one speck which is to be expected for someone with diabetes for longer than 5 years. These changes are nothing to be worried about if they are nowhere near the centre of the eye. Again, thousands of these specs are not an issue if they are away from the retina.