Retinal screening results - very concerned!!

[joha1971]

Diagnosed type 1 Jan 2004.
No problems before now other than some severe (horrible) night time hypos 2012-2013. Review of meds and basal dose split, now twice daily, this stopped night time hypos.

Had retinal screening last week.
(No drops as pupils always big enough to do without)
Results show background retinopathy

Always had low BP although not checked recently.
Cholesterol last checked 5+ years ago - was around 5.
hba1c between 57-59 over last 5 tests.
BMI is 17
Ex-smoker
Exercise: walk a lot

Eyesight worsened over last 18 mths.
Stabbing pains in back of eyes started a few weeks ago.
Also 1 pupil always bigger than other, been like this for 2-3 yrs.
Had cataract removed from left eye 2008.
Family history of glaucoma.

Very concerned at how quickly my sight has worsened and worried about long-term prognosis.
Losing my sight has always been my only concern with diabetes.
Need proper advice on how to prevent it developing further.

 

[noblehead]

Have they said what is causing the stabbing pain in your eyes?

Now that you've told that you have background retinopathy they will call you up more regularly and you may be referred to the Ophthalmology clinic at your local hospital.

The following has a wealth of information on diabetic retinopathy and has advice on improving your bg control, bp, cholesterol and introducing lifestyle changes to halt or slow down the progression of thecondition:

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

If you've not mentioned the stabbing pain to your HCP's then I strongly suggest you do, also a cholesterol check should be carried out every year as part of your diabetes care plan, make you mention this too.