Eye Screening

[MrsAA]

Hello

I’ve not posted in a very long time.

I have anxiety over eye screening, so much so that I opted out when first invited (I know, I’m silly) anyway in order to be able to be prescribed Mounjaro the consultant has said I must go for it (I understand why). I have this appointment on Monday and I’m terrified the results will mean I can no longer drive….my husband has numerous health conditions including Parkinsons and I’m worried I won’t be able to take him to all his appointments.

I was diagnosed officially in June 2023 any my HbA1c was 107…I’ve now convinced myself that I will be told I have retinopathy because it was so high and probably had been for a while..I got it down to pre diabetic levels because I needed an operation but then I let things slide a bit…my next HbA1c results were 54, 72 and the latest one was 65 so higher than it should be.

I know nobody is a trained eye person here but I’m just wondering if anyone can share their experiences with me, I know there will probably be some I’d rather not see!

I will add that my vision was not good when my HbA1c was 107 but it did seem to correct itself once my levels came down and currently seems ok. I do need to get an up to date eye test which I will do once I’m over the stress of the screening next week.

What stage does retinopathy have to be for them to take away your driving licence?

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[silver minion]

Hello @MrsAA . Lots of people are worried about eye tests. It's understandable when we rely so much on our sight.
Like you, my initial HbA1c was over 100. Fortunately my retinopathy check came back as clear, so I can't give you advice if you have signs of retinopathy. There are a few people who are having treatments on one or both eyes who may be able to help.
Wishing you good luck at your appointment. It is better to know if there is a problem sooner rather than later, but keeping my fingers crossed for you.

 

[MrsAA]

Hello @MrsAA . Lots of people are worried about eye tests. It's understandable when we rely so much on our sight.
Like you, my initial HbA1c was over 100. Fortunately my retinopathy check came back as clear, so I can't give you advice if you have signs of retinopathy. There are a few people who are having treatments on one or both eyes who may be able to help.
Wishing you good luck at your appointment. It is better to know if there is a problem sooner rather than later, but keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Thanks for the reply, pleased yours all come back ok. I’m a dreadful worrier in general but this is making me super anxious!

 

[goodybags]

@MrsAA don’t be anxious about anything that may or may not happen
Just see what the results are from your forthcoming scan on Monday
If you need treatment there are all sorts of treatments available that can help

but I kind of get where your coming from
I know first hand having less than really good vision can stress us out a bit

as many on here are aware I’ve been undergoing treatment for about 10 years for Diabetic Retinopathy
and have recently had complicated cataract surgery
I’ve had confirmation from the Eye consult I’m under plus the surgeon at another hospital that worst case scenario even if they ever lost the fight treating my bad eye the vision in my left eye would allow me to still drive, but yes it’s scary stuff (sometimes)
ps:
Hope you get on well with Mounjaro

 

[MrsAA]

@MrsAA don’t be anxious about anything that may or may not happen
Just see what the results are from your forthcoming scan on Monday
If you need treatment there are all sorts of treatments available that can help

but I kind of get where your coming from
I know first hand having less than really good vision can stress us out a bit

as many on here are aware I’ve been undergoing treatment for about 10 years for Diabetic Retinopathy
and have recently had complicated cataract surgery
I’ve had confirmation from the Eye consult I’m under plus the surgeon at another hospital that worst case scenario even if they ever lost the fight treating my bad eye the vision in my left eye would allow me to still drive, but yes it’s scary stuff (sometimes)
ps:
Hope you get on well with Mounjaro

Thank you so much, that is really helpful to know.

I hope your fight for your bad eye does not get any worse…I hate this diabetes with a passion..my husband was recently diagnosed T2 and his son also, he’s only 40 (his son) goes to the gym and is not overweight so who knows how it gets to affect some people with no rhyme or reason. Me, I’m fat, I’ve always been fat so I do blame myself but, saying that, I was diagnosed with PCOS in my late teens and that often leads to diabetes…shame nobody told me at the time, I never found out the link until many years later.

 

[silver minion]

Thank you so much, that is really helpful to know.

I hope your fight for your bad eye does not get any worse…I hate this diabetes with a passion..my husband was recently diagnosed T2 and his son also, he’s only 40 (his son) goes to the gym and is not overweight so who knows how it gets to affect some people with no rhyme or reason. Me, I’m fat, I’ve always been fat so I do blame myself but, saying that, I was diagnosed with PCOS in my late teens and that often leads to diabetes…shame nobody told me at the time, I never found out the link until many years later.

Please do not blame yourself for your diabetes or any complications. As you say PCOS may lead to diabetes but it was certainly not your choice. Nobody on here wanted or chose diabetes. We just learn to live with it as best we can.

 

[goodybags]

Thank you so much, that is really helpful to know.

I hope your fight for your bad eye does not get any worse…I hate this diabetes with a passion..my husband was recently diagnosed T2 and his son also, he’s only 40 (his son) goes to the gym and is not overweight so who knows how it gets to affect some people with no rhyme or reason. Me, I’m fat, I’ve always been fat so I do blame myself but, saying that, I was diagnosed with PCOS in my late teens and that often leads to diabetes…shame nobody told me at the time, I never found out the link until many years later.

The Mounjaro I am sure will help you, what other Meds are you prescribed?
me I was quite overweight well more than overweight was obese myself

now another 10 KG to loose and I was actually be at a healthy weight

 

[MrsAA]

The Mounjaro I am sure will help you, what other Meds are you prescribed?
me I was quite overweight well more than overweight was obese myself

now another 10 KG to loose and I was actually be at a healthy weight

I’m on Glimepiride 2mg, metformin and recently added Rybelsus as well but I’m finding it too restrictive with not being able to drink anything for half an hour after taking it, too much faff. I see you are on Mounjaro even with the eye problems. I need a shoulder replacement after breaking my humerus in 3 places thanks to a dodgy kerbstone back in 2023 so I want to try and get some weight off before then if I can…

 

[Lucyr]

What stage does retinopathy have to be for them to take away your driving licence?

Even if you completely lose one eye, which isn’t at all likely, you can still drive so long as you can see in the other. You have to lose a lot of sight before you lose your licence. If your vision is okay currently then you’re absolutely not losing your licence from this appointment

 

[MrsAA]

Even if you completely lose one eye, which isn’t at all likely, you can still drive so long as you can see in the other. You have to lose a lot of sight before you lose your licence. If your vision is okay currently then you’re absolutely not losing your licence from this appointment

Thank you

 

[Flower]

Hello @MrsAA

Please try not to scare yourself over the retina scan - although I undertand why .

Retinopathy is graded in to stages of development, background retinopathy is the first stage and causes tiny microvascular changes in the retina and does not affect the vision, it may sometimes require scanning/monitoring more often but it can resolve on its own as glucose levels are stabilised

As someone who has lost my driving licence from proliferative retinopathy - this was in the years before retinal screening existed - there are stages the changes in the retina go through. Screening picks up any microscopic changes should there be any and any extra monitoring/treatment can be done in good time to limit any noticable changes to the sight. You would more than likely be aware if you had sight threatening retinopathy as the vessels in the back of the eye can haemorrhage into the eye and obscure vision.

Please try not to overthink it (Yes I know! easy to say) It is a quick scan of the retinas to protect your vision and I hope it gives you peace of mind going forward. Best Wishes.

 

[MrsAA]

Hello @MrsAA

Please try not to scare yourself over the retina scan - although I undertand why .

Retinopathy is graded in to stages of development, background retinopathy is the first stage and causes tiny microvascular changes in the retina and does not affect the vision, it may sometimes require scanning/monitoring more often but it can resolve on its own as glucose levels are stabilised

As someone who has lost my driving licence from proliferative retinopathy - this was in the years before retinal screening existed - there are stages the changes in the retina go through. Screening picks up any microscopic changes should there be any and any extra monitoring/treatment can be done in good time to limit any noticable changes to the sight. You would more than likely be aware if you had sight threatening retinopathy as the vessels in the back of the eye can haemorrhage into the eye and obscure vision.

Please try not to overthink it (Yes I know! easy to say) It is a quick scan of the retinas to protect your vision and I hope it gives you peace of mind going forward. Best Wishes.

Thank you for this 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hope the appointment goes well @MrsAA and helps you reduce your worries and anxiety for the next time.

As @Flower says the early stages of retinopathy don’t cause any changes to vision. The blurriness you may have experienced when your BG levels were higher may have been changes to the shape of the eyeball due to ‘osmotic pressure’ where the high levels can mess with the focal length of your eyes faster than your brain can adapt. But those blurriness changes tend to be temporary, and settle down when your levels ease back into range.

 

[MrsAA]

Hope the appointment goes well @MrsAA and helps you reduce your worries and anxiety for the next time.

As @Flower says the early stages of retinopathy don’t cause any changes to vision. The blurriness you may have experienced when your BG levels were higher may have been changes to the shape of the eyeball due to ‘osmotic pressure’ where the high levels can mess with the focal length of your eyes faster than your brain can adapt. But those blurriness changes tend to be temporary, and settle down when your levels ease back into range.

Thank you for explaining that 🙂

 

[saffron15]

I have had eye problems since 2007 when I was diagnosed with uveitis _ eye inflammation. I have occasional flares when I self refer to eye casualty. In 2011 I delayed referring and when I went had a macular oedema and was put on steroids.

I was diagnosed with type 2 in July. I discovered that I had last been tested in 2014 when I was hba1c 40. I cannot understand why no test since then given I had a blood test annually. As has been said on here you need good sight in one eye. My left eye has gradually worsened but I passed a DVLA sight test in June. I had a cataract op at end of October. One of the consultants told me it was extremely rare to see serious damage before 10 years of diabetes.

I have postponed my test as uveitis has stuck down my pupils. As a result of the cataract op I now have another macula oedema but the consultant has told me it's small and he hopes eyedrops will sort. I'm due to see him Monday and will have operation on other eye the following week.

I intend to ask if the photos taken at each appointment are checked for retinopathy. My consultants are retinal specialists.

Please go to your screening. I only postponed mine because I was receiving treatment at the hospital. The screening is to treat problems as soon as possible and vast majority are treatable.

I know I'm being a bit brutal but if you are not fit to drive you mustn't drive. I didn't drive for some of last year and won't drive until I get new glasses after cataract operation. There will no doubt be neighbours or friends who can help with transport or charity volunteers.

Good luck

 

[MrsAA]

I have had eye problems since 2007 when I was diagnosed with uveitis _ eye inflammation. I have occasional flares when I self refer to eye casualty. In 2011 I delayed referring and when I went had a macular oedema and was put on steroids.

I was diagnosed with type 2 in July. I discovered that I had last been tested in 2014 when I was hba1c 40. I cannot understand why no test since then given I had a blood test annually. As has been said on here you need good sight in one eye. My left eye has gradually worsened but I passed a DVLA sight test in June. I had a cataract op at end of October. One of the consultants told me it was extremely rare to see serious damage before 10 years of diabetes.

I have postponed my test as uveitis has stuck down my pupils. As a result of the cataract op I now have another macula oedema but the consultant has told me it's small and he hopes eyedrops will sort. I'm due to see him Monday and will have operation on other eye the following week.

I intend to ask if the photos taken at each appointment are checked for retinopathy. My consultants are retinal specialists.

Please go to your screening. I only postponed mine because I was receiving treatment at the hospital. The screening is to treat problems as soon as possible and vast majority are treatable.

I know I'm being a bit brutal but if you are not fit to drive you mustn't drive. I didn't drive for some of last year and won't drive until I get new glasses after cataract operation. There will no doubt be neighbours or friends who can help with transport or charity volunteers.

Good luck

Thank you and I hope your current problem is sorted soon 🙂

My eyesight, as far as I can tell, is perfectly ok to drive..I can read number plates…I had laser eye surgery back in 2012 for short sightedness because I wanted a life free of glasses, I was very impressed with the results, I do have glasses for reading and I must get a standard eye test once I’ve been to this screening…I’m still very anxious about it but it needs to be done, just hope it’s all ok when the results come back to me..

 

[trophywench]

FWIW I've had 'Background Retinopathy' since the early 1990's. A couple of times my annual screening has said I don't have it. According to my 2024 scan, I still have it. I have astygmatism so have needed glasses for the last approx 45 years and still do. I've also had cataracts in both eyes removed. My licence is due for renewal this year and as I haven't driven at all since my last renewal (every 3 years as I have Type 1 so using insulin since 1972) and dunno yet whether to renew it again or not bother. No longer have my own car, just don't need 2 now.