retinopathy

[purplecrystal]

Hi i wondered if anyone could give me some advice please?
i myself is a diabetic type2 but im very concerned over my husband who is type 1 on insulin he has been for along time.
He has been getting treatment at the eye clinic for retinopathy which is only effecting the back of his eyes at the moment.and not his vision.the damage is blood vessel's growing and bleeding to which he has had alot of laser surgery.and recently had a course of injections in both eyes.
now his last injection was in may 2010 and had no problems until a week ago he couldnt see out his left eye properly as all he seen was red (blood)
we went to see his eye specialist and they said he has a massive bleed in the centre and is refering him for a vitrectomy a small instrument is used to remove the vitreous gel that is clouded with blood.
now we was told an appointment would be up to 4 weeks.
last week the blood started to clear from blocking his vision and only this weekend the blood re appeared again.
I looked at some web sites about this topic and also on here and some say you should go to a&e?so what do we do?should we go to a&e or wait?im really worried

 

[anniep]

I would go to A & E, after all an uneccessary visit won't harm, but waiting when you shouldn't might.

 

[noblehead]

Purple,

Its quite common for the blood in the vitreous jelly to disappear and then reappear again, this can happen most when you are lying down and then get up, as the blood has settled when sleeping and when moving etc the blood disperses again. I have had a few bleeds over the years and around 6 lots of laser treatment, and 5 years back underwent a vitrectomy operation for a major bleed in my left eye. Depending on the severity of the bleed, in time most bleeds do disappear mostly from your field of vision (provided the bleed has been lasered) but occasionally a major bleed may mean a vitrectomy op is the only alternative.

Should you both be at all concerned, go along to your A & E department and they will call out the on-duty Ophtalogist to check your husbands eye, this way you won't have to wait 4 weeks for a check-up, and should reasure you both hopefully.

Here is a excellent site that offers great advice to people with diabetic retinopathy:

http://medweb.bham.ac.uk/easdec/

Nigel

 

[hanadr]

My T1 husband had a vitrectomy some time ago and it didn't go well. They damaged the retina, which they then had to stick back into place with oil. In the pre-op discussion they said the chances of something going wrong were slight. Since then I've found it's actually quite common. He now has limited vision in that eye and may well need further surgery. All I can suggest is you question the surgeon thoroughly about the risks and his own record of success and make sure you're talking to the one who will actually be doing the procedure.
If possible, go to a specialist eye hospital.
Hana