Type 2 Retinopathy treatment side effects??

[nannoo_bird]

Hi everyone. I am a T2 on insulin, diagnosed around 18 years ago. I am now 68 and have recently been diagnosed with Hashimoto's as well - what joy. One big problem is my vision. I have now had four laser treatments on my eyes, the last time was for glaucoma in one eye, and proliferative (?) retinopathy in the other Since the last treatment, my vision has been terrible and very odd. I constantly feel like I am drunk, things are swimming in front of my eyes, and light and dark take a long time to adjust to. I wore reading glasses before, but now they are hopeless. I have asked to see my ophthalmic consultant but of course, with the NHS on its knees, I have had to join a waiting list. I am really scared of doing some damage - falling, or doing normal jobs like cooking as I can't judge distances well.

Does anyone else suffer with this? I was told a few months ago by my doc that I would not go blind, and the treatments would stop the retinopathy from getting any worse, but despite good BG control, it seems that I am getting worse. Can anyone relate to this?

 

[Hopeful34]

That sounds terrible to cope with. I'd suggest contacting the Consultants secretary to see if you can get an urgent appointment, or PALS who are very helpful. Your hospital may have a number that people who have had recent eye treatment such as yours, can ring, so worth checking out anyway in case they have this advice line.

I'd also get an opticians appointment to have this checked urgently.

Hope you can get help one way or another.

 

[nannoo_bird]

Thank you so much. I have recently seen an optician, but it was a confusing and upsetting appointment. I will check to see if there is an emergency number to ring. I have contacted the consultant's secretary twice, but no response.

 

[Hopeful34]

I'm appalled that the optician didn't send a request to the hospital for an urgent appt. Maybe try a different optician, or I guess if all else fails A&E or physically going to the eye clinic and asking for help/who to contact?

 

[Helen40]

Hi, that sounds very upsetting and must be worrying, I don't know all the answers to your questions but I do know the adaptation from light to dark snd vice versa is slow to adapt after certain amount of laser, I have this myself, I slso have occasional 'shimmering' in the sides of my vision and yep depth perception isn't as reliable as it once was, definitely get in touch with your hospital, they will have an ECLO this is a sort of eye counsellor/support who bridges the gap between patients and consultants, I believe all eye clin8cs have 1? Take heart that the treatments are good and without them I would sure have lost all vision by now x