Diabetic eye screening

[Red robin]

Hello all .
I just had my latest diabetic eye screening test done and quite concerned as they found a bleed on my right eye ,which they said it was a slight aneurism. I have been a type 2 diabetic for about 2 years now , I'm 51 and my last diabetic blood levels where 48 . I'm diet controlled at the moment, I've booked an appointment with the diabetic nurse to check my levels again as the optician said it could be a sign of high sugar levels ? Has anyone experienced this before and any advice welcome thanks .

 

[trophywench]

Hiya - do you check your blood glucose at home to see what meals cause your level to rise, in between the occasional tests done by your GP and sent off to the lab ?

 

[Red robin]

Hi ,do I don't check my levels at home

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear about your screening result @Red robin

Were they able to spot it while you were there or did you get notification by the follow-up letter after they had checked the photos carefully? Those letters often aren’t written very kindly unfortunately, and can be full of doom and gloom

How long have you been diagnosed? I’m afraid I can’t remember. And have you recently made any major changes to your diabetes management which might have resulted in a rapid improvement in your BG levels?

 

[Red robin]

Hi @everydayupsanddowns
I was told by the optician there and then and they will send a letter out to my gp too. Never had anything like this before in my body ,it's quite scary.
I was diagnosed with type 2 about two years ago ,my blood sugar levels have always been around the 47 ,49 ,48 marks . I am a healthy weight ,bmi normal but there is a history of diabetes in the family . My diabetic nurse isn't happy about my levels and wants me to go on tablets and gave me six months to get it down further. I think after seeing this update she will . I'm keen to find out what my blood sugar is as I haven't drastically changed my diet .

 

[Red robin]

Hiya - do you check your blood glucose at home to see what meals cause your level to rise, in between the occasional tests done by your GP and sent off to the lab ?

@trophywench I wouldn't know where to start in looking for a monitor. I did ask my diabetic nurse if I needed to monitor them at home and she said not really, so I don't check.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I'm keen to find out what my blood sugar is as I haven't drastically changed my diet .

With a home BG meter you can monitor whenever you like - the majority of the cost comes from the ongoing strips. The most affordable and reliable meters that members here have found are the SD Gluco Navii or the Spirit Tee2 - which both have test strips at around £8 for 50 (some brands are more like £30 for a pot of 50 😱 )

There are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you expect to raise your blood glucose levels, but you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, including rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, pastry, grains, cereals and many fruits.

You can use a BG meter, taking a reading before and again 2hrs after eating, to see what the differences are, to identify any carbs that seem to be spiking BG (initially in a way the numbers themselves matter less than the differences between them).

Once you can see how you respond to different meals you can begin experimenting with reducing portion sizes of the main carbs and trying different types (sometimes just having things at a different time of day makes a difference). Gradually tweaking and tailoring your menu to find one that suits your tastebuds, your waistline and your BG levels 🙂

If you are interested in this approach you may find test-review-adjust by Alan S a helpful framework.

 

[trophywench]

Think about this - would you ever drive your car without looking at the speedo? We all do that, in order to get there safely.

So, why drive your diabetes without testing your blood glucose along the way?

 

[Red robin]

Think about this - would you ever drive your car without looking at the speedo? We all do that, in order to get there safely.

So, why drive your diabetes without testing your blood glucose along the way?

Good way to look at it ..thanks

 

[Red robin]

With a home BG meter you can monitor whenever you like - the majority of the cost comes from the ongoing strips. The most affordable and reliable meters that members here have found are the SD Gluco Navii or the Spirit Tee2 - which both have test strips at around £8 for 50 (some brands are more like £30 for a pot of 50 😱 )

There are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you expect to raise your blood glucose levels, but you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, including rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, pastry, grains, cereals and many fruits.

You can use a BG meter, taking a reading before and again 2hrs after eating, to see what the differences are, to identify any carbs that seem to be spiking BG (initially in a way the numbers themselves matter less than the differences between them).

Once you can see how you respond to different meals you can begin experimenting with reducing portion sizes of the main carbs and trying different types (sometimes just having things at a different time of day makes a difference). Gradually tweaking and tailoring your menu to find one that suits your tastebuds, your waistline and your BG levels 🙂

If you are interested in this approach you may find test-review-adjust by Alan S a helpful framework.

 

[Red robin]

Thank you so much for all the information, much appreciated. I shall look into the monitors you suggested and really look more in the way I can adjust things in my eating and lifestyle.

 

[ncoope70]

@Red robin sorry for jumping on your post, can you or any other member tell me, is a diabetes eye test different to a regular eye test?

 

[trophywench]

@Red robin sorry for jumping on your post, can you or any other member tell me, is a diabetes eye test different to a regular eye test?

Yes, it is - because at the diabetes one they are looking specifically for markers of any damage to the retina from the diabetes rather than seeing if you're short or long sighted and all the other things a normal opthalmic optician looks for in a high street optician's appointment.

Google 'UK retinopathy screening service' for further info.

 

[ncoope70]

Yes, it is - because at the diabetes one they are looking specifically for markers of any damage to the retina from the diabetes rather than seeing if you're short or long sighted and all the other things a normal opthalmic optician looks for in a high street optician's appointment.

Google 'UK retinopathy screening service' for further info.

Thank you, my last couple of tests 2 years apart I have told them my sight doesn't feel right and they have just said its age. I will google your advise.

 

[Red robin]

@Red robin sorry for jumping on your post, can you or any other member tell me, is a diabetes eye test different to a regular eye test?

It's OK @ncoope70
If you have been diagnosed as a diabetic you get a free diabetic eye screening test The test involves putting a dye in your eyes to dilate the pupils so they can have a detailed look at the retina and more . Hope you are able to book an appointment for a diabetic eye test . Fingers crossed all will be OK

 

[Leadinglights]

The tests at the optician will include a test for glaucoma and if you pay extra, photographs looking for macular health as well as the usual eyesight tests but not the retinal screening.

 

[trophywench]

@ncoope70 - you aren't old, merely middle aged.