Laser treatment for retinopathy

[ShortStuff]

Hi all
I used to be a frequent poster, but I haven't been around for a long time now, but I need some advice/help, if anyone has a few minutes.

Still diet (low carb) & exercise controlled until Jan 2025 (HbA1c at a good level), but I had a stroke. Pressured into taking Blood pressure pills, statins, blood thinner & metformin. Had them all for 16 months now, & feel ****.

After the stroke I had maculopathy & it's been monitored since (to see if it goes away or if I have to have injections). I went for a check up yesterday & they saw I have a lot of retinopathy (not a problem before the stroke, but a little since) the Macolopathy is 'stable' & not the biggest problem at the moment...

She said I need to have laser treatment, immediately to prevent blood vessels bursting & sight loss. They've booked me in for tomorrow.

I'm scared.

I don't know what to do. Do I just go ahead with it through my local NHS hospital or do I try to see a private eye clinic. I don't have health insurance. Nor lots of money. But you only have one pair of eyes!

I don't know what to do & I'm scared.

 

[Antje77]

She said I need to have laser treatment, immediately to prevent blood vessels bursting & sight loss. They've booked me in for tomorrow.

I'm scared.

I don't know what to do. Do I just go ahead with it through my local NHS hospital or do I try to see a private eye clinic.

I'm sorry you're scared, I would be as well!

If it were me, I'd definitely go in tomorrow.
Treatment for retinopathy is very much routine in NHS hospitals. Is there any reason you expect a private eye clinic to give you better care?

 

[lovinglife]

It scary but I agree with @Antje77, best to go tomorrow & the sooner you’re seen the sooner it’s sorted & your mind will be at rest.

My hubby has health care insurance through work for many many years, often it’s an NHS consultant running a private clinic so it’s the same guy treating you.

He says the only difference is you get to call the consultant by their first name & you get tea & biccies & a nurse escorts you around the hospital

 

[Hopeful34]

Sorry you've been told you need laser treatment. I was scared before I had this, but went ahead, and was glad I did. They make sure your eye is numb by putting drops in, and it's helpful to take sunglasses for when you leave, as you can be dazzled in the daylight until the drops wear off. You're not allowed to drive until the drops wear off - the same as for your eye check up.

It's good they've got you in for it tomorrow, as it can be weeks here before you can get an appointment, so I'd definitely recommend going for your appointment tomorrow.

Hope all goes well.

 

[ShortStuff]

I'm sorry you're scared, I would be as well!

If it were me, I'd definitely go in tomorrow.
Injections for retinopathy are very much routine in NHS hospitals. Is there any reason you expect a private eye clinic to give you better care?

Thank you for your nessage

This is laser treatment, not injections, tomorrow.

May still need injections for the maculopathy in the future, but this seems to have been put on the back burner due to the retinopathy issue.

Re private, only that I've heard other people say they'd only go to the top surgeons & you should NOT just accept any old consultant to do things like eyes.

Just very scared of something going wrong, it's not like you can order a new pair of eyes

 

[ShortStuff]

It scary but I agree with @Antje77, best to go tomorrow & the sooner you’re seen the sooner it’s sorted & your mind will be at rest.

My hubby has health care insurance through work for many many years, often it’s an NHS consultant running a private clinic so it’s the same guy treating you.

He says the only difference is you get to call the consultant by their first name & you get tea & biccies & a nurse escorts you around the hospital

Thank you for your message too.

Yeah I'm not at all concerned about the 'fluffy' bits, just getting the best treatment.

 

[ShortStuff]

Sorry you've been told you need laser treatment. I was scared before I had this, but went ahead, and was glad I did. They make sure your eye is numb by putting drops in, and it's helpful to take sunglasses for when you leave, as you can be dazzled in the daylight until the drops wear off. You're not allowed to drive until the drops wear off - the same as for your eye check up.

It's good they've got you in for it tomorrow, as it can be weeks here before you can get an appointment, so I'd definitely recommend going for your appointment tomorrow.

Hope all goes well.

Thank you so much for your post too . It's great to hear from someone who has had it done.

I'll be taking the bus there & back (I live alone & no one I want to ask to take me (for various mixed reasons!) if it's that bad afterwards there's a taxi rank right outside.

I'll definitely take my sunglasses. Since the stroke the drops they use just for dilating your pupils really affect me.

Because it's both eyes I have to inform the DVLA that I've had it done. They said it doesn't mean they'll take my licence away, but just need to inform them ‍‍

But definitely won't be driving until they feel normal (days rather than hours I think!)

Yes, I'm grateful they fitted me in so soon. But equally worried that they felt it necessary, when there weren't any free when she checked yesterday.

When I called this afternoon they were able to tell me whose list I'm on & it's a consultant I've seen before & liked. So I hope it is her. (but I've been before & been on a list for her but had a different one)

 

[Grant_Vicat]

Thank you so much for your post too . It's great to hear from someone who has had it done.

I'll be taking the bus there & back (I live alone & no one I want to ask to take me (for various mixed reasons!) if it's that bad afterwards there's a taxi rank right outside.

I'll definitely take my sunglasses. Since the stroke the drops they use just for dilating your pupils really affect me.

Because it's both eyes I have to inform the DVLA that I've had it done. They said it doesn't mean they'll take my licence away, but just need to inform them ‍‍

But definitely won't be driving until they feel normal (days rather than hours I think!)

Yes, I'm grateful they fitted me in so soon. But equally worried that they felt it necessary, when there weren't any free when she checked yesterday.

When I called this afternoon they were able to tell me whose list I'm on & it's a consultant I've seen before & liked. So I hope it is her. (but I've been before & been on a list for her but had a different one)

I too understand your fear @ShortStuff . I had both eyes lasered several times by the NHS between 1979 and 1983. It was a very new procedure then. But I can read your post easily, type a response and drive a car. I still have good visual acuity 43 years later! I would be surprised if you are unable to drive for several days. As has been mentioned above, all private consultants and specialists will have gone through the same training as an NHS practitioner. Most of the specialists who have treated me for eyes, transplant, diabetes etc free of charge also do some private work. I wish you all the best for tomorrow.

 

[ShortStuff]

I too understand your fear @ShortStuff . I had both eyes lasered several times by the NHS between 1979 and 1983. It was a very new procedure then. But I can read your post easily, type a response and drive a car. I still have good visual acuity 43 years later! I would be surprised if you are unable to drive for several days. As has been mentioned above, all private consultants and specialists will have gone through the same training as an NHS practitioner. Most of the specialists who have treated me for eyes, transplant, diabetes etc free of charge also do some private work. I wish you all the best for tomorrow.

thank you

You were very brave getting it done when it was so new!

I feel even more pathetic now

I think a large part of it is having lost trust in our local hospital, my own treatment (stroke), friends & local news

Yeah I don't know how long I won't be able to drive for, but I don't need to drive for several days, so I can just take it as it comes... it's good to know your still fine driving, it was nerve wracking after my stroke waiting to get the letter to confirm I could retain my drivers licence. A friend us still waiting 18 months on.

I'm a little bit worried about the possible 'frequent but temporary' issues, but not too much as I know they'll pass, it's the long term risks that are a worry. But not having it done is a risk too.

I guess it all just feels so 'rushed'. I only went in on Monday for my routine Maculopathy review. Never had a retinopathy problem & suddenly they want to do laser treatment for it.

But thank you for your support x

 

[niblue]

Hopefully your eye clinic is like our one here in Edinburgh which so far has been very good in my experience. I had a detached retina in one eye in March, was referred to them one afternoon by my optician (me local doctor was useless despite me telling him what the issue was) in the afternoon and was operated on the next morning. Post operation case has been good and while they've picked up what they think is a blocked blood vessel in the other eye at least they're now aware of it and there are some checks scheduled for that.

The eye I had the detached retina in seems to have recovered quite well - well enough to comfortable pass the minimum standard for driving on that eye alone anyway.

I've got my annual scheduled slit lamp exam in a couple of weeks so I'm hoping everything looks ok to them.

 

[Grant_Vicat]

You were very brave getting it done when it was so new!

I feel even more pathetic now

I had no choice really, but like you I was scared. I don't think you need to feel pathetic. Any treatment to the eyes (which are surprisingly tough) causes anxiety, which can be extreme if you haven't experienced the procedure before.

I'm a little bit worried about the possible 'frequent but temporary' issues, but not too much as I know they'll pass, it's the long term risks that are a worry. But not having it done is a risk too.

The best decision I made when I was an undergraduate and an outpatient of King's College Hospital (fantastic diabetes and ophthalmology departments) was to follow their advice back in 1979. I owe a nearly normal (whatever that is!) life to them and succeeding hospitals. The sooner problems are dealt with the better your chances of avoiding serious long term issues.

I guess it all just feels so 'rushed'. I only went in on Monday for my routine Maculopathy review. Never had a retinopathy problem & suddenly they want to do laser treatment for it.

I agree that this is shocking and bewildering, but probably for the best ultimately. Let us know how it goes. It will probably have taken place by the time you read this. I hope you feel the same relief as I experienced.