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macular Oedema with non-proliferative retinopathy

A

AchillesHeel

Member
I've just been diagnosed with macular edema or maculopathy but I have non-proliferative retinopathy. Didn't expect this - was always concerned about staying non-proliferative, which I still am. The swelling is not in the centre of the macular which is a blessing, as it has not affected my vision. I would like advice from anyone with experience or knowledge about this eye condition. I know that in a minority of cases, retinopathy can be reversed. I would like to know whether macular edema can be reversed as well through better BS & BP control & so forth ... My retinal specialist, who looked dumbfounded when I told him that I have heard of cases of retinopathy reversal, advised that under no circumstances can M/edema be reversed.

I am reluctant to undergo laser surgery because I have been informed that you lose some of your peripheral vision.

Please give me your views & comments. I would appreciate any feedback at all.
 
Sometimes in the very early stages it is difficult to decide whether laser will help. The treatment is tiny laser burns in and around the leaky area.

Mild oedema may settle without laser (AJO 2008). On the other hand, if OCT may measure an increase in oedema and sight may deteriorate. (It is much more likely to resolve if glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels etc are controlled.)
Click to expand...

The above is from this link to an informative site all about eyesight problems, this section in particular is all about Maculopathy and related problems.

http://medweb.bham.ac.uk/easdec/diabeti ... html#intro

If the Specialist is of the opinion that it cannot be reversed then I would guess he is telling you the truth, at least as far as he /she knows it. I suppose it all depends on the severity of it's current progress which I am sure he/she knows more about than we do. After reading much of the link it is apparent that it can be better controlled and also that treatment may be the only option.

There are several new treatments, which are discussed. Concerning macular oedema in Diabetes, Triamcinolone may reduce macular oedema more effectively. Avastin may work if repeated injections are given (pubmed 2008)

This is something you really need to discuss fully with the Specialist. If you need to you could always ask for a second opinion before embarking on Laser Treatment.

Ken
 
Thank you ever so much. I've just started my research into this condition & am a bit overwhelmed right now. Your link was great.

I have come across a case where a diabetic was diagnosed with Maculopathy only to never find any empiricial evidence that it existed . These things can happen I suppose (don't we always wish that we may be such a case!). I always seek a second opinion & will be seeing a far more experienced retinal specialist in 2 weeks.

I do know however that retinopathy can be reversed or halted through better health outcomes (BS, BP etc) & I have a nagging hunch that this may also apply to maculopathy as well.

Stop press - just had a word with my original opthalmologist over the phone who has indeed confirmed that maculopathy can ease itself away or may not need treatment as such. He also saw no evidence of the M. when he saw me.

Time to learn meditation techniques I think ...
 
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