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Retinopathy Advice/Experiences
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<blockquote data-quote="Dark Horse" data-source="post: 2336332" data-attributes="member: 52527"><p>At screening, the photographic images are each given an R grade for retinopathy and an M grade for maculopathy. The meaning of the grades can differ between countries in the UK - in Scotland, for example, the highest (worst) grade is R4 whereas in England it is R3 (or R3A to be more precise, where A denotes active). </p><p></p><p>If someone in England is graded R3A at screening, they should get a results letter from the screening programme telling them that they have 'proliferative retinopathy' and have been referred to ophthalmology:-</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px"><em>"Thank you for attending your recent diabetic eye screening test. Your test result showed that you have proliferative retinopathy. This means there are serious changes to the small blood vessels in the retina at the back of your eye as a result of your diabetes and you are at risk of long-term problems with your sight.</em></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><em>These changes may need treatment, so we are referring you to the Hospital Eye Clinic to see a specialist. The hospital will send you an appointment. It is important that you attend this appointment in order to protect your eyesight.</em></p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px"><em>We have informed your GP of your test result and you should talk to them if you have any concerns about your diabetes. You can call the screening service on [insert tel no] if you have not received your Hospital Eye Clinic appointment within 6 weeks." <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/diabetic-eye-screening-invitation-and-result-letter-templates" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/diabetic-eye-screening-invitation-and-result-letter-templates</a></em></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"><em></em></p><p>I wonder if you have received an appointment letter from the ophthalmology department before you've received your results letter from the screening programme, hence the lack of information. If you haven't had your results letter, let the screening programme know and they can send you another one.</p><p></p><p>If you have been referred to ophthalmology for proliferative retinopathy, please take comfort from the fact that you have now got your blood glucose levels under control - this will stand you in good stead in the future. Also, please don't beat yourself up about your 'blip' - it's not unusual for people to let their control go for a period in their teens or twenties - it can be a difficult time and managing diabetes is an added difficulty. If it is confirmed that you do have proliferative retinopathy (it's not always clear from the photo) then you will be offered treatment, usually PRP laser, which has a good success rate. There are people on this forum who have had laser years ago without further problems - if you want to read some personal testimonies you can use the search function.</p><p></p><p>Note that there are a lot of 'ifs 'there - without the actual results letter, we're just guessing. Ultimately, though, you won't know what situation really is until you've had your ophthalmology appointment. In the meantime, just carry on with your excellent efforts at getting your glucose levels under control and make sure you attend all your ophthalmology appointments.</p><p style="margin-left: 20px"></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Dark Horse, post: 2336332, member: 52527"] At screening, the photographic images are each given an R grade for retinopathy and an M grade for maculopathy. The meaning of the grades can differ between countries in the UK - in Scotland, for example, the highest (worst) grade is R4 whereas in England it is R3 (or R3A to be more precise, where A denotes active). If someone in England is graded R3A at screening, they should get a results letter from the screening programme telling them that they have 'proliferative retinopathy' and have been referred to ophthalmology:- [INDENT][I]"Thank you for attending your recent diabetic eye screening test. Your test result showed that you have proliferative retinopathy. This means there are serious changes to the small blood vessels in the retina at the back of your eye as a result of your diabetes and you are at risk of long-term problems with your sight. These changes may need treatment, so we are referring you to the Hospital Eye Clinic to see a specialist. The hospital will send you an appointment. It is important that you attend this appointment in order to protect your eyesight.[/I][/INDENT] [INDENT][I]We have informed your GP of your test result and you should talk to them if you have any concerns about your diabetes. You can call the screening service on [insert tel no] if you have not received your Hospital Eye Clinic appointment within 6 weeks." [URL]https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/diabetic-eye-screening-invitation-and-result-letter-templates[/URL] [/I][/INDENT] I wonder if you have received an appointment letter from the ophthalmology department before you've received your results letter from the screening programme, hence the lack of information. If you haven't had your results letter, let the screening programme know and they can send you another one. If you have been referred to ophthalmology for proliferative retinopathy, please take comfort from the fact that you have now got your blood glucose levels under control - this will stand you in good stead in the future. Also, please don't beat yourself up about your 'blip' - it's not unusual for people to let their control go for a period in their teens or twenties - it can be a difficult time and managing diabetes is an added difficulty. If it is confirmed that you do have proliferative retinopathy (it's not always clear from the photo) then you will be offered treatment, usually PRP laser, which has a good success rate. There are people on this forum who have had laser years ago without further problems - if you want to read some personal testimonies you can use the search function. Note that there are a lot of 'ifs 'there - without the actual results letter, we're just guessing. Ultimately, though, you won't know what situation really is until you've had your ophthalmology appointment. In the meantime, just carry on with your excellent efforts at getting your glucose levels under control and make sure you attend all your ophthalmology appointments. [INDENT][I][/I][/INDENT] [I][/I] [/QUOTE]
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