So, I got this letter today......

[semiphonic]

That started with the following "Thank you for attending your diabetes eye examination. Your examination and photographs showed that you have some changes in your eyes which require further assessment by an eye specialist. The eye specialist has examined your photographs and would like to carry out more detailed checks at the hospital eye clinic."

Should I be worried?

 

[Dzialo]

In a way you should be relieved because by elder people sometimes they mistake diabetes with an eye problem (that raises the sugar to) and that goes a way with some meds so no long term problem like diabetes only temporary

 

[Indy51]

Worrying seems pretty pointless to me - I don't recall any time in my life when worrying about something actually changed the outcome. Sorry to be flippant but as difficult as it is, worrying is a waste of emotional time and energy - though it's certainly really hard to avoid doing it.

I would try to stay calm until you have the recommended tests and while you're waiting, do as much as you can to control your BG levels, though it is seems that it's better to reduce them gradually as really sudden decreases can cause eye problems as well.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you - hope the next tests go well.

 

[Osidge]

Letters such as you have had can cause great worry, semiphonic. I received a letter on one occasion that told me I had early retinopathy changes and it had me ringing up my optometrist and pleading to be seen immediately. Fortunately she is a good friend and did a slit-lamp examination and said she could see no problems. On my next annual retinal photographic session it turned out that I had a freckle on the interior surface of my eye and not a retinopathy change!!! As Indy says, keep on tackling your blood sugar levels and get then to better levels. It may be nothing or a problem that can be stopped in its tracks

Take care

Doug

 

[semiphonic]

@Dzialo unfortunately I don't think anything has been mistaken for diabetes, and I'm not elderly either

@Indy51 You're absolutely right, worrying won't change the outcome. I'm calm at the moment, I think 'quietly concerned' would be accurate, thanks for the finger crossing

@Osidge it was a bit of a shock when it dropped on the doormat to be honest, I've had a phone call from the hospital this morning and I'm booked in for the 9th April, I'm hoping it's just a minor issue (obviously!).

My BG is averaging around 7mmol/L daily, a little higher than I would like, but not dangerously high.

Thank you all for your replies

 

[carty]

I had a very similar experience and I went to the eye clinic where I was given a very thorough examination I was fortunately told that I was cleared to be checked by the screening test in 6 months When you think about it we are very fortunate to be looked after in this way and something can be done to help our sight if problems are picked up early
CAROL

 

[semiphonic]

I had a very similar experience and I went to the eye clinic where I was given a very thorough examination I was fortunately told that I was cleared to be checked by the screening test in 6 months When you think about it we are very fortunate to be looked after in this way and something can be done to help our sight if problems are picked up early
CAROL

That must have been a huge relief, hopefully I'll have a similar outcome! I agree we are fortunate to be looked after the way we are

 

[Andy12345]

Best of luck with it, I'm sure its nothing too serious, try to put it out of your mind (easy to say) nothing they can't do these days

 

[Beachbag]

No matter what any one says, you're going to worry so it's good that your appointment is just a couple of weeks away. No good thinking about possible outcomes because it'll make you feel worse. Keep working on keeping BG levels reasonable...try for a bit lower if you can. It'll help.
Good luck and most of all
Take care!
Geri

 

[CollieBoy]

That started with the following "Thank you for attending your diabetes eye examination. Your examination and photographs showed that you have some changes in your eyes which require further assessment by an eye specialist. The eye specialist has examined your photographs and would like to carry out more detailed checks at the hospital eye clinic."

Should I be worried?

I wouldn't be worried, this was probably a "tick box assessment" if there appear to be any changes then bring them in for checking.
I have had them pull me in for checking by a specialist when my eye "improved"

 

[totsy]

I wouldnt worry,
if you have poor control then try sort that out ,if not theres no point in worrying about what we cant change

 

[semiphonic]

Best of luck with it, I'm sure its nothing too serious, try to put it out of your mind (easy to say) nothing they can't do these days

Thanks Andy

 

[semiphonic]

No matter what any one says, you're going to worry so it's good that your appointment is just a couple of weeks away. No good thinking about possible outcomes because it'll make you feel worse. Keep working on keeping BG levels reasonable...try for a bit lower if you can. It'll help.
Good luck and most of all
Take care!
Geri

First of all thanks Geri, you always seem to know just what to say

I'm constantly trying to get my BG down, over the last couple of days I've had some (very) odd tests. Twice yesterday I had levels that were in double figures even though I didn't do anything differently. Today after lunch (iceberg salad with cheddar and Peperami) I had a BG reading (on my iBGStar) of 13.9, the thing is that I didn't feel high (as newly diagnosed as I am, I know how high feels?)
I used my back-up meter (Accu-Check Aviva Nano) and I was apparently at 5.8, I used the same finger but the 2nd drop of blood.
Which meter do I believe? If it's my iBGStar then my average is around 7mmol/L, if it's my Accu-Check then it's considerably lower......

 

[semiphonic]

I wouldn't be worried, this was probably a "tick box assessment" if there appear to be any changes then bring them in for checking.
I have had them pull me in for checking by a specialist when my eye "improved"

I hope so Fergus, the thing is that this has happened so quickly, diagnosed a few weeks ago and now my eyes are squiffy??

 

[semiphonic]

I wouldnt worry,
if you have poor control then try sort that out ,if not theres no point in worrying about what we cant change

Quite right, I shouldn't worry. I'm worried though

 

[semiphonic]

Just thought I'd post an update; after a very intense, very bright and very painful eye test at the hospital, any anomaly that was showing on my original eye test has since disappeared. Huge sigh of relief!

 

[Avocado Sevenfold]

What a relief!

 

[semiphonic]

What a relief!

Understatement of the year

 

[Avocado Sevenfold]

I hope so Fergus, the thing is that this has happened so quickly, diagnosed a few weeks ago and now my eyes are squiffy??

I can understand why you were so worried. My eyesight got bad very quickly. Ended up at the local opticians on Christmas Eve begging for an eye test. He was able to out my mind at ease. Nothing more precious that your sight in my opinion. Very pleased for you.

 

[semiphonic]

I can understand why you were so worried. My eyesight got bad very quickly. Ended up at the local opticians on Christmas Eve begging for an eye test. He was able to out my mind at ease. Nothing more precious that your sight in my opinion. Very pleased for you.

Thanks Avocado, it's a huge relief! I'm glad your optician was able to put your mind at ease and just before Christmas too! I agree that nothing is more precious than sight.