Hello Cathie and welcome
I'm so sorry to hear the difficulties your husband is facing. I have been through the same nightmare with both eyes in my late 20's early 30's and know how utterly devastating and all consuming the fear is. Has your husband been having laser for proliferative retinopathy? When I had vitreous hemorrhages I had vitrectomy operations in both eyes which removes the eyeball jelly then the eye is filled with clear saline. If he hasn't yet had vitrectomies this can remove all the dried blood that has become trapped in the eye jelly obscuring any vision and offer the chance of restoring some vision. (Apologies if he has already had vitrectomies.) I also underwent numerous wash out operations where the saline had to be cleared after ongoing bleeds.
Please make sure he speaks to his diabetes team about the best way to improve his control as rapidly tightening blood glucose levels can perversely speed up retinopathy which is the very last thing that needs to happen.
At the eye hospital where I had the majority of my treatment there was someone from the RNIB who came into the clinics and advised on things that can help. I do go to a low sight clinic which has some good ideas for dealing with limited vision. The retinal clinic will try everything to help conserve as much sight as they possibly can but living with reduced sight does take some adapting to in terms of balance - I get dizzy with just some sight in one eye, I've lost perspective, thinking things are not quite where they really are - pouring the kettle over my hand instead of in a cup is a favourite. I am totally blind in the dark and low light so carry a torch everywhere to give myself a fighting chance and apart from white and dark I can't distinguish colours.
Life does go on but from personal experience it is a heck of a terrifying change to get on with and unfortunately you can't look away or think of something else for half an hour as the damage is right infront of you all the while. The best thing is for your husband to achieve the very best glucose control and blood pressure he can. I couldn't have imagined being able to live independently 20 years after going through the turmoil of losing my sight but I have central vision in one eye which is the most precious thing to me and I make sure I do everything within my capabilities to look after it.
I really hope your husband can reach a stable place with his sight and begin to feel more reassured that life can go on - with a fair few more challenges than before. Good luck to you both I wish you well for th future.
