RETINAL TESTING...WORRIED ABOUT RESULT

[chrissieworne]

Hi all

Had my first ever test yesterday, not as bad as I feared..drops made my eyes smart for about 5 minutes then really blurred vision for about 6 hrs, looked like a cat on speed..... only thing I am worried about is the lady told me the photos have to be looked at by specialists and I should hear results in 5-7 weeks, all okay as far as she could see EXCEPT.....In my right eye there was a dark spot, she said it is a "birthmark" or "freckle" on the eye. She said they are unusual but are like moles or birthmarks elsewhere on the body and have to be checked regularly for change in shape, texture etc. I thought, oh ok. BUT got home, surfed the net and have now scared myself because the sites go on about melonoma in the eye etc, losing eyes and even life if these things go bad.

Am cross I have let this wind me up but I actually feel really worried, has anyone else had one of these found? I presume I don't really need to worry and have most likely had this years if not always. Can't understand why I am all panicky, I suppose its because all the other tests I've had seem ok. Mind you, have to have an ecg next week and poss pills for my bp so all in all am feeling a bit vulnerable. Anyone out there can put my mind at rest?

Thanks

Chrissie

 

[issigonis59]

Hi Chrissie

I have had something similar said following my retinal screening last year, my "photographs" were referred for a Specialist to review, but subsequently my results were just classified as slight minor changes and a review in a years time.

I have just had my latest screening (two weeks ago) and have recieved my letter today indicating all is well and an appointment will be sent in another year.

So there is not always anything to necessarily worry about. Even if there is something that needs looking into, you are worrying about the as yet unknown which won't be doing your BG levels any good. Try not to worry and wait to see what the experts say.

Take care

Rachel

 

[chrissieworne]

Thanks Rachel, that's a help. It doesn't seem to take much to set me off!!! I was only diagnosed in May this year and although I have been really impressed with how quick and thorough all the checks have been (and I am lucky that my d.nurse and GP are really supportive) I have found it hard to come to terms with.

I am t2 and am on diet only at the moment, it's the anniversary of my son's death in a months time and I spose I am extra sensitive at this time anyway.

Sometimes the internet is a bit too informative!!

Will keep you posted, hope you are well.

Regards Chrissie :?

 

[Bluenosesol]

Hi Chrissie,

we were diagnosed about the same time. The problem is with new diagnosis, is that at first you think OK so I am diabetic now what?. Then the health professionals begin to introduce you to statistics, compliocations etc and you get the impression that one way or another, diabetes will get you in the end!!. So then you start looking for information on the internet etc and frighten yourself to death!!!.

I am covered in moles and we all know that any mole can turn nasty but the vast majority of them dont. Then you realise that every one of our millions of body cells is susceptible to cancer, but the worlds population isnt paralysed by fear!!.

The most sobering of statistics for me, is that 80% of diabetics will suffer or succomb to diabetic complications. Horrors!!!....but wait a minute!!.
Two thirds of the diabetic population in the UK do not bother with or do not currently have the benefit of an annual review. A very large proportion of diagnosed diabetics make a personal decision to continue with the lifestyle which contributed to their condition and hence expose themselves to the inevitable.

The bottom line is that if you have your check ups, manage your own condition and take on board the lifestyle changes required, then it is so easy to ensure that you are one of the 20% who will never suffer significant complications or succomb to diabetes related illness.

So think positive and take charge and also realise that the speck on your eye is just that!!.

All the best Steve.

 

[cugila]

Some good advice here Chrissie. Don't panic, don't panic ........

Ken.

 

[totsy]

hya chrissie,
sorry to hear about your son, but try not to worry , my aunt has a freckley thing on her eye picked up by opticians ,she has only been told to have them checked every yr 4 changes so try not to worry, let us know how u get on

 

[inwales]

How different is the retinal scan they do at Specsavers?

Optician showed me the scan and all blood vessels etc were perfect.

 

[Bluenosesol]

Chrissie,
the retinal photography is of a similar standard as all of the practicioners who do it are trained and approved to do it by the NHS. The photographs are discussed directly with the opthalmist at the opticians and then they are downloaded onto the NHS database where they are then picked up by the local NHS team. These are then reviewed and you will get a letter in the post in a couple of weeks to confirm the findings. My opthalmist said that mine were excellent and that he could not have detected my diabetes by looking at them. I received aletter from the NHS team stating that my results were satisfactory.
I attended my local Diabetes UK support group recently where they had our local diabetic retinopathy lead doctor for our PCT. She explained that if your initial photos are reasonable and you have your yearly photos taken and reviewed that the serious diabetic eye complications will become a thing of the past.

Steve.

 

[chrissieworne]

Hi folks

Thanks for the support, I really appreciate it. I feel much better now i've thought about it. Steve, you are so right! I think the retinal testing is just a bit more in depth because they enlarge your pupils with drops, Specsavers did'nt do that, they did the puffer thing and diagnosis of peripheral vision, they did take a photo of each eye as well but didn't spot the freckle.

Chrissie

 

[bernie.freeman]

Hi,
I am really sorry to hear about your son, my heart goes out to you.

I too had my retinal scan referred to a specialist, he said that there were minor changes on my retina, and that if my BG was controlled they would more than likely disappear! I have a 6 monthly check up now at the hospital and my eyes are improving. by the way I have no symptoms at all.

Try not to worry.

Bernie
xx

 

[Dalekkiller]

How do people feel about the information that is sent out after you've had a test? A friend of mine received her results on a Saturday telling her she needed treatment and would be referred to an eye clinic. For most people, this would have been frightening as she couldn't contact anyone until the following Monday to discuss this. The letter was also typically vague and didn't say how urgent the matter was and which clinic she would be referred to. Fortunately, she didn't panic and, as she has contacts as the Department of Health, she put in a formal complaint about the wording of the letter and the fact that "bad" news was sent out at the weekend.

It would interesting to see how good/bad services are across the country and whether or not people are having similar experiences. In my area, they have been blaming the computer software for the way letters are written (something about bad workmen blaming their tools springs to mind!). As this is a relatively new service we have the chance to speak up now and, hopefully, get things changed.