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?
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Knikki
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Hello @A.K. Welcome to the forum.
High at 8 or 9 is not too bad usually the damage comes when your up in high double figures for long periods of time.
The GP may, justifiable, being cautious in referring you but if your eye site has not yet started to deteriorate you may be OK.
I'm don't know how long it would take for blindness to set in but you really should now be getting yearly check ups from an ophthalmologist to keep check on your eyes and to make sure they are not getting worse, I do
Anyway good luck with your check up.
High at 8 or 9 is not too bad usually the damage comes when your up in high double figures for long periods of time.
The GP may, justifiable, being cautious in referring you but if your eye site has not yet started to deteriorate you may be OK.
I'm don't know how long it would take for blindness to set in but you really should now be getting yearly check ups from an ophthalmologist to keep check on your eyes and to make sure they are not getting worse, I do
Anyway good luck with your check up.
Robinredbreast
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Hello and welcome to the forum, I concur with Knikki, and our GP has done the correct thing by referring you to an opthamologist , so you will be getting the right help and support. I hope all goes well, take care.
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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.
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.
