Retinopathy

brottonmoores

Well-Known Member
Messages
151
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
just had the results of my retinopathy test and have for the first time have background retinopathy changes don't need to go back until my next yearly exam is it possible to correct that or just stop it getting worse
I've been type 2 for 2 years on glic and metformin
Thanks for reading
Jan
 

sally and james

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,093
Type of diabetes
Family member
Treatment type
Diet only
My husband has reversed retinopathy that was much worse than Background. It was done by maintaining consistently low (ie normal) blood sugar readings through a strict low carb diet.
Good luck,
Sally
 

eventhorizon

Well-Known Member
Messages
457
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi. Correct it or stop it getting worse? Nobody knows but keeping tight control will give you the best chance of a good result.
 

BarbaraG

Well-Known Member
Messages
273
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
Ive had T2D 19 years. Twice I've been found to have background retinopathy, the second time for 3 years in a row. Both times, I have tightened up glucose and BP control, and it has gone away.
 

Peppergirl

Well-Known Member
Messages
208
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
really hopeful that I can at least keep my background retinopathy stable. I would be so happy if I could reverse it with near normal glucose levels.
 

Peppergirl

Well-Known Member
Messages
208
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
My husband has reversed retinopathy that was much worse than Background. It was done by maintaining consistently low (ie normal) blood sugar readings through a strict low carb diet.
Good luck,
Sally
Do you mind if I ask how long it was before the retinopathy was reversed? Brilliant BTW
 

sally and james

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,093
Type of diabetes
Family member
Treatment type
Diet only
@Peppergirl wrote, "
Do you mind if I ask how long it was before the retinopathy was reversed? Brilliant BTW"

It was a gradual process of improvement. Sometimes faster, sometimes slower. By cutting out carbs, you give your body chance to heal itself.
Sally
 
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BarbaraG

Well-Known Member
Messages
273
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
For the background: since no treatment is needed, you just find out at the next annual check that it's gone away. Except, as I said, I did have background retinopathy 3 years in a row and didn't do anything about it until them3rd year :-(
 
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frsufi

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi Everyone I am new here in this forum. I have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes recently after 3 years of constant Retinopathy.
I don't know what is called "Background Retinopathy" However my Eye specialist said I have "Serious Retinopathy" not familiar with this word either. Do you have any Idea is it ever reversible like background one? I am on Metformin 500gm 3 times a day.
Thanks
 

sally and james

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,093
Type of diabetes
Family member
Treatment type
Diet only
@frsufi
Are you on a low carb diet? Are you testing your blood sugars so that you know what you can eat safely? If so, it is highly likely that your retinopathy will improve, perhaps slowly at first, it may even get worse before it gets better, but the longer term outcome will be much better if you give your body chance to heal. You can only heal if you stop filling your system with sugar.
Good luck,
Sally
 
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BarbaraG

Well-Known Member
Messages
273
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
Have you had, or are you due to have, laser treatment? Is your vision affected by your retinopathy?

However far it has progressed, normalising your blood sugar is the best way to prevent it from progressing. You can preserve the vision you have, if you get your BG and BP completely normal. The higher they are, the more likely you are to have problems which affect your vision.
 
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frsufi

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Thanks @sally, James and Barbara I have got now hope that I am not going blind because of diabetes. But online writings about retinopathy was so scary. I have bought a test kits recommended by forums members, I will now keep checking my blood sugar myself. And I am trying to eat low carbs against my will and against my eating habits. Finger crossed.
 
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BarbaraG

Well-Known Member
Messages
273
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
Keep on testing - eat to your meter and you will find out how much Carbohydrate you can tolerate and still have acceptable BG's. Keep your levels as close to normal as you can and the risk of developing retinopathy is very low. Good luck!
 
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MarkE

Well-Known Member
Messages
72
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Woo
First: background retinopathy need not progress further- keep the BS under control for best chances, and LCHF seems the best approach for that.

Second: if you are unlucky and it does go further, don't worry. I've had a lot- 10+ sessions in each eye- of laser, and still have my central vision mostly intact. My retinopathy is currently stable, too.

So: don't worry too much over going blind, and keep the BS as stable as you can.
 
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