Eye problems in type 2 diabetes

[Silmarillion]

Dear all,
I haven't been on the boards for a while....

The diabetes saga continues. Anyway I've worked really hard maintaining a low carb diet, ive cut out alcohol and hobble around on my dodgy feet everyday to get some excercise. My HbA1c has gone from 164 and it is now sitting at 44.
I am on 2 g of metformin a day.
Since being diagnosed just over a year ago my eyesight has been bad despite having a relatively low HbA1c for at least 6 months. I'm usually completely blind in my left eye but I've had persistent blurred vision in my good eye and it's making my life difficult. My opthalmologist doesn't know what's causing it but can't see any diabetes related changes in my eye. I have noticed it gets even worse when my blood sugar goes above 10mmols to the point where I can even read signs with big writing at the railway station. So I'm on a permanent 1200 calorie a day diet in a bid to keep my sugars below 10.

My optician said I have had a huge change in prescription in my good eye and I'm at the point now where I am having to use an electronic text magnifier to read books and I've got a screen magnifier and a giant computer screen at work. I regularly get on the wrong train, I've always being almost run over when crossing the road I don't know how many times and I walk by people I know in the street all the time.

The Gp initially told me that this would all resolve in a few weeks once my blood sugars stabilised. I have gone back to him loads of times. The opthalmologist just pokes my eyes and maps my fields and tells me eyes are now " stable".....stable and useless.
Any ideas as to my next step? I have now changed GPs and the new one is marginally better and nicer than the last one.

 

[Northerner]

Very sorry to hear this It sounds to me like you need to see a consultant eye specialist at the hospital, ask your GP to refer you as it is clear that they and the opthamologist do not know where the problem lies. It's interesting that you say your vision becomes blurry when your levels are high. When we are diagnosed our vision is often blurry due to the high levels of glucose distorting the shape of the lens, but as you say this normally resolves itself once levels are brought under control. As your control has improved considerably, it oought to have resolved itself for you, but obviously hasn't. Have you just been having ordinary retinopathy scans that are showing clear?

Hopefully, others with greater knowledge will be able to make suggestions. I hope that you are able to get some answers and some solutions soon.

 

[KookyCat]

Sounds like you're having a horrible time, I think a consultant is a good idea but can I ask if they've ruled out B vitamin deficiency and anaemia? Before diagnosis I had trouble with my eyes and whilst my bad eye isn't as bad as yours is not much cop for distance so the good eye compensates a lot. My prescription in the good eye went from -2.75 to -7 point something and the optician was baffled. Long story short it was B12/anaemia related, my anaemia was so severe it was restricting oxygen to the eye and the B12 problem had caused inflammation of the optic nerve to boot. It took them nearly twelve months to work that out during which time I had a great deal of difficulty with normal tasks. They weren't particularly dynamic about resolving it either. I'd push for a referral and extra blood panels if they haven't tested everything. Hope you get it sorted soon 🙂

 

[Silmarillion]

I have seen an opthLmologist( eye spec) and continue to do so on a regular basis. They see me every three months. They are saying that they don't know what's causing the blurred vision. They have only looked at the structures of my eye and haven't considered medical problems.

 

[AJLang]

Silmarillon I have a few eye problems and for one of them it took a long time to get a definitive diagnoses. This only happened until I kept pushing for answers and got referred to Moorfields. Do you always see the same optician? If yes I would personally change to a different opticians, Boots are usually good, and push them for a referral to your hospital. They may not be able to do anything but you need to do everything that you can to keep the sight that you have. If you phone a new opticians explain that you are very worried, and why you are worried, they can often fit you in on either the same day or next day. Please keep us posted.

 

[AJLang]

I've just read your post again, a good ophthalmologist would such to find out what is wrong. But I have seen ophthalmologists, including one privately, who have said they can't see a problem when there was actually seriously wrong. It may be that you need to see a different ophthalmologist. I'm under the local hospital eye department. However because I was not impressed I went to the optician, they sent an urgent referral to my GP, they used the choose and book system and I asked them to give me the option of Moorfields at City Road, and used this approach to change. Another route I've also used is when one of my consultants couldn't work out what was causing a particular problem they referred me to Moorfields.

 

[AJLang]

I'm sure that there must be a Moorfields equivalent in your area. If you don't mind me asking have you contacted Action for Blind People if there are practical ways that you can be helped if your sight can't be improved. Access to Work may also be able to help whether you are applying for a job or are already working. They helped me a lot with magnification equipment.

 

[Silmarillion]

Hey AJ

Work has been very good. I also went to see visibility scotland to play in their gadget room and try a few different pieces of equipment out. Work are looking into funding some of the equipment I found useful. I have also purchased a handheld CCTV magnifier.

My optician who is lovely has been trying to persuade my GP to refer me to see a neurologist for the last year.....do they take any notice....no they don't. My occupational health Doctor who I see has written to my GP and opthalmologist to refer me on to see a neurologist and they've ignored them too. The optician was the one who originally refered me to the eye specialist.....not my GP.
I may look into being refered to see an eye spec in Glasgow as the guy from visibility Scotland has recommended somebody.

Access to work.....Im looking into this

I will have a look at action for blind people and see if they can help

I will also look into getting a second opinion.....even if I have to pay for it myself.

 

[AJLang]

Hi Silmarillon that is crazy that you're GP is refusing to refer you to a neurologist. I was referred to a neurologist last year due to one of my problems. He couldn't find out the problem but fortunately the MRI was clear. Can you contact PALs(or the Scottish equivalent) to get help with regard to your GP referring you?

 

[AndBreathe]

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time.

What sort of things are you eating? It can't be a lot of fun, sticking with 1200 calories, on a permanent basis. Are you losing weight on that, as I'd disappear between the slats on the drains!

I don't know what, if any other health problems you may (or may not) have, but have you tried eating a strict reduced carbohydrate diet? When I adopted that way of eating, my bloods came into the non-diabetic range quickly, and has stayed there. Many folks also report their vision improves as they reduce their sugars.

 

[Silmarillion]

The reason I'm on 1200 calories a day is the im finding it hard to loose weight because I guess my thyroid is packing up. I have managed to put on 6 kg since January.....it sucks! The dietician suggested I eat more...so I did and put more weight on? I have significantly reduced the amount of carbs I eat.

 

[Ruthy]

It sounds like you're having a really tough time of it. Have you tried phoning the Diabetes UK Careline? I think you said you're based in Scotland? They have a Scotland based Careline, who also run an advocacy service, and they can be really helpful in supporting you to get the care that you need. You can call on 0141 212 8710, Monday–Friday, 9am–7pm, or email careline.scotland@diabetes.org.uk.