• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

retina screening

A

angel48

Newbie
Messages
2
hiya, wondered if any one can help.
i had my retina sreening in january and i had background retinopathy,
went to opticians last week because i think my eyesight getting worse and he told me i have damage to both eyes. really worried do i just wait for my next yearly screening in january or go see gp. thanks. :?:
 
Hi 'angel48'

You should have got the letter from the screening then saying: 'No treatment is needed at this time'?

If the optician was concerned he would have referred you to an eye specialist.
Helena.
 
Hi Angel48, and welcome.

I don't know too much about this, but I'll do my best to help.

I believe "background retinopathy" is quite a common comment in the letters following our diabetic retinal screening, and doesn't necessarily mean that there's anything seriously wrong.

I assume that you have been diabetic for some time (at least since January! :D ). You don't say what your blood glucose levels are like, but I believe it is quite common for eyesight to change as BGs become lower and under control. I've seen recommendations on here to wait a while before ordering new glasses, in case your prescription changes for the better as you achieve control.

Did your optician say exactly what he meant by "damage"? If not, in your place my first port of call would be back to the optician to find out exactly what was meant. Armed with that, you can go to your doctor if you think it necessary and ask for a referral to an eye specialist.

I hate to sound cynical, but - however good they are (and as a contact-lens wearer I have my eyes checked by the optician every 12 months), opticians have to make a living - and they do it by selling glasses etc. My optician would have me buy a new pair of lenses every year, but I can't afford £100 every 12 months, my prescription never changes, and I can still see through them - so I don't.

You can't be too careful with your eyes, so I can understand your concern. Rather go to the doctor than not, but I'd check back with the optician first, so you have all the info.

Good luck - and try not to worry too much :)

Viv 8)
 
When he referred to the 'damage' it was the background retinotathy. It will only be mild at the moment, where no treatment is needed. You'r optician was just telling you you had it in both eyes, as the letters, mine anyway, never tell me.

Don't worry, if your optician had been in any doubt about what he saw he would have told you, and referred you.

Helena
 
Back
Top