Worried about eye screening referal

[50_boiled_cabbages]

Hi all

First time posting so please be gentle

Type 2 diagnosed in 2010 with background retinopathy but have just had a referal letter to see a specialist at the hospital stating that "there have been sight threatening changes" to the blood vessles in my eye.

Always suffered from floaters and occasional ocular migrane but no noticable changes to my central or peripheral vision that I can tell. Have been lax in the control department for quite a while(denial) and not sure what to do for the best regarding lowering bg levels as Ive read this can worsen retinopathy in the short term.

Cheers

 

[steve_p6]

Whilst a rapid reduction in BGs can worsen progression in the short term, over the longer term you will get slower progression. In the meantime I would wait until you've seen the specialist before making any sudden changes.

 

[noblehead]

Have been lax in the control department for quite a while(denial) and not sure what to do for the best regarding lowering bg levels as Ive read this can worsen retinopathy in the short term.

That is said to be the case if someone has had poor diabetes control and then suddenly tightens things up, have a read of the following which explains the process:

http://www.diabeticretinopathy.org.uk/retinopathyprogression.htm

Now your under the care of a Ophthalmology Clinic you can ask the Ophthalmologist how you should improve your control and over what time-scale, good luck and hope it all works out well.

 

[50_boiled_cabbages]

Many thanks for the replies,as you both say I will have to wait and see and be advised regarding BG control time frame.

 

[CapnGrumpy]

Don't worry too much. I've had a number of those "sight threatening damage" letters and after talking to a helpful ophthalmologist, yes, there were some changes to one of my retinas, but after a couple of years there were no more changes for the worse and my eyes look healthy now.

I do wonder if those letters are intended to shock people into turning up for their appointments. The first one certainly put the willies up me until it was properly explained.

 

[50_boiled_cabbages]

Thanks Capn.. I certainly didn't need the metformin to have the S**ts when I read that. Here's hoping.