Laser in pre-proliferative retinopathy

[luca ferrario]

I’m 42 and and I’m diab from 1977 so it’s close 39 years with my friend

During last screening some days ago my specialist told me that I’ve a pre-proliferative retinopathy and it’s absolutely necessary to start as soon as possible with laser treatment. Usually I check my eyes every 6 months, my HBA1c is 6.8 (51) and I’m also using Freestyle libre. I wear glasses but I don’t have any vision problems. Do you think laser treatment is necessary also for pre-proliferative retinopathy? (the specialist told me that without laser the retinopathy will quickly become proliferative) I’m only worried about side effects of the laser.
Thanks in advance.

Luca

 

[noblehead]

The Ophtmologist knows best, they will only laser your eyes if they think it's absolutely necessary. Side effects are very few although multiple treatments can result in some loss of peripheral vision, but this all depends on which part of the eye they laser.

Have a look at the following website, it has a wealth of information and advice on diabetic retinopathy and treatment options:

http://www.diabeticretinopathy.org.uk/Information_for_patients.html

 

[Mike d]

Hi Luca

No-one here could answer that ... if you're not happy, seek a second opinion. There's a few on here who've been thru laser treatment so perhaps they could comment about the pros and cons but the "is it necessary" is beyond us.

 

[luca ferrario]

thanks for the link.
No doubt that Opthmologist know best but i'd like to know if there is someone else in this forum who started the treatment with pre-proliferative retinopathy (instead of proliferative).
Luca

 

[Dark Horse]

There is some information about laser treatment for pre-proliferative retinopathy here:-http://www.diabeticretinopathy.org.uk/pre-proliferative.html#s

Treatment for diabetic retinopathy is most effective if it is given BEFORE there is any sight loss.

 

[the_anticarb]

Hi

In my experience pre proliferative retinopathy will turn into proliferative, its only a matter of time. I had pre proliferative retinopathy and it wasn't lasered. I was told to come back in three months. Three months later it had become extremely proliferative and I was given laser but too late... I then had a massive bleed and nearly had a retinal detachment, had to have a vitrectomy to stabilise it. So it's better to have the laser now, than when the vessels have grown out of control and can lead to bleed/retinal detachment.

Seriously I wish someone had lasered my retinas earlier. Don't be scared of the laser - it is much better than the alternative.

 

[the_anticarb]

One more thing, if you're a driver and you're having laser INSIST that they do not laser your DVLA area, as you will need to be tested every three years to ensure your visual field is sufficient to drive. It sounds obvious but according to my consultant, not all opthalmologists will avoid doing this. I pay privately to see a consultant I trust (and I'm not rich by any stretch of the imagination) as I refuse to let anyone else laser my eyes just in case they laser in the wrong area.

 

[noblehead]

How are things going @the_anticarb, was your last treatment successful and have you had no issues since?

 

[the_anticarb]

Hi Noblehead - well I never want to count my chickens when it comes to Retinopathy but I haven't had any laser for two years, since I had my daughter, and my diabetes is fairly stable so I'm hoping that it's all okay for now. My license is up for renewal, so I have to do the blasted field test but apart from possibly a tiny area of loss right in the very bottom of my field (so outside of the bit the DVLA requires I believe) I think I can see pretty well which is remarkable considering what my poor old eyes have been through! Freaks me out doing that test as I'd lose so much if I lost my license.... job, home (we'd have to move), freedom.....
Ah well the very thought of that is enough to keep me on the straight and narrow!

I just remember you saying that you didn't have to do the field tests anymore to get your license renewed as your condition is stable -so there is hope!

 

[noblehead]

I just remember you saying that you didn't have to do the field tests anymore to get your license renewed as your condition is stable -so there is hope!

The last time the DVLA carried out medical checks and as a result my licence was delayed, they may have wrote to my Ophthalmology Clinic (not sure if they did/didn't) and were told that I'd not had any issues for 12 years, perhaps this is why they didn't insist on the Field Vision Test..........I can't be certain tbh, but perhaps there is a cut-off point where they don't insist on the test if someone has been all clear for some time.

Anyway that is great news about your progress, hopefully if they do call you up for the test you'll pass without any issues. Good luck and best wishes.

 

[luca ferrario]

in last ckeck-up my pre proliferative retinopathy turn up into proliferative especially in my left eye, this is not a good news especially my last two HbA1c 6,8 and 6,2 so i have to restart as soon as possible with laser treatment

 

[noblehead]

Sorry to hear that news @luca ferrario

 

[Caesar]

Hi @luca ferrario as noblehead has mentioned laser can result in some loss of peripheral vision but this is usually after multiple treatments only. Have a look into this too: http://noctura.com/ It's a light-emitting sleep mask, which myself as well as other people on this forum have been using. It won't eliminate your current need of a laser treatment but it will avoid things rolling down the bad way and definitely reduce future risks based on shared experiences!

 

[luca ferrario]

Unfortunately at the moment i can't buy the mask because i live in Italy. Yesterday i've done my 4th laser because now i've proliferative retinopaty in both eyes (the left one is sign worse than the righ) but i still have not any direct problem with my sight. My last hba1c was 6,2 (in last 2 years i was always under 7) but the doctor says that i have a slow constant deterioration of my eyes