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Worried re retinopathy
- Thread starter sandii
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D
Deleted member 21371
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When is your next appointment for eye screening?
HbA1c is 43 down from 131 at diagnosis. Blood glucose is between 5-8 although not regularly checking that.
Due Jan 24
D
Deleted member 21371
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Both sound good.
If the retinopathy was a cause for concern, you'd be back sooner than 12 months.
That's a big drop in Hba1c.
Was it a slow steady drop?
Excellent improvement in HbA1c
I'd expect your retinopathy to correct itself with lower blood glucose levels... mine certainly did and your initial HbA1c level was pretty high.
D
Deleted member 21371
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A fast drop can cause a wobble, but if the last check up was clear, it looks like it should be ok.
There are a lot of threads on here by members that have had a similar experience.
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Sorry you’ve had the ‘background changes‘ letter. Hope it wasn’t too upsetting for you - they aren’t always phrased in the best way
When average BG falls sharply, as reflected by a rapidly improving HbA1c, there is a chance for some people that it can result in short-term stress to fine blood vessels and nerve endings.
This usually resolves over time, so hopefully as you maintain your improved levels your retinopathy will resolve by your next screening appointment.
Leadinglights
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People can often get a letter like that and it really puts the wind up you but then the next time it is fine.
However keeping your blood glucose well managed will hopefully mean it will be fine next time.
I was told that if you get a normal result then the screening goes to 2 years rather than 1 but I got a repeat this time after just 1 year.
However keeping your blood glucose well managed will hopefully mean it will be fine next time.
I was told that if you get a normal result then the screening goes to 2 years rather than 1 but I got a repeat this time after just 1 year.
rebrascora
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Lowering your BG levels so quickly can put a strain on those very tiny, delicate blood vessels in your retina and cause a slight bleed. With maintenance of good BG levels, the body may well repair this, so hopefully when you get your next screening it will have disappeared but even if it is still there, it may have dissipated by the following year or the year after that. Good BG control is really important to give it the chance of improving and prevent any further risk of damage. I certainly had such a letter 2 years ago but the last one was all clear and many others have had a similar experience.
I see these results of background retinopathy as the equivalent of a little bruise or cut elsewhere on the body. The body can repair small ones without a trace over time, but bigger ones or continuing to traumatize that area can lead to more permanent damage, like a scar. I have a black thumb nail at the moment which is the result of hitting it with a brick (stupid I know!). It will take months to grow out but it doesn't hurt anymore and doesn't stop me using my thumb in any way.... it just looks unsightly! These background retinopathy results are a bit similar. Provided I don't keep hitting my thumb nail with a brick, it should eventually dissipate and providing you manage your diabetes well, this background retinopathy should also resolve. Of course there is no guarantee, particularly if you have a weakness in that tiny blood vessel, but as this will be checked each year, if there is a weakness they will refer you for treatment, usually long before it starts affecting your sight, but most resolve or there remains a very tiny scar which doesn't cause any problems to your sight at all.
I see these results of background retinopathy as the equivalent of a little bruise or cut elsewhere on the body. The body can repair small ones without a trace over time, but bigger ones or continuing to traumatize that area can lead to more permanent damage, like a scar. I have a black thumb nail at the moment which is the result of hitting it with a brick (stupid I know!). It will take months to grow out but it doesn't hurt anymore and doesn't stop me using my thumb in any way.... it just looks unsightly! These background retinopathy results are a bit similar. Provided I don't keep hitting my thumb nail with a brick, it should eventually dissipate and providing you manage your diabetes well, this background retinopathy should also resolve. Of course there is no guarantee, particularly if you have a weakness in that tiny blood vessel, but as this will be checked each year, if there is a weakness they will refer you for treatment, usually long before it starts affecting your sight, but most resolve or there remains a very tiny scar which doesn't cause any problems to your sight at all.
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