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Eye tests

I

isabeau

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
What do you do when you have to go the the opthometrist for new glasses? Since doing the DAFNE course my control is much better, but my blood sugar levels vary between 3 and 10 daily, so I am not sure if the reading taken will be correct. I have had loads of trouble in the past when I wanted new glasses (frames) with the same lenses. Everytime they test my eyes the reading is slightly different and I have to do the whole diabetes explaining thing to get glasses that I can actually see through... Although I have had the same lense strength for 20 years, I now think I might need different ones. Age is a cruel thing...
 
I'm just off to the opticians now for my 2nd retinal scan - it was horrible last year, had flashinglights for hours afterwards. :mad:
 
Got my new glasses yesterday:D. Same frames, different lens script.
Optometrist very knowledgable about the effect diabetes has in corneal shape, however minor. If you are stable 3 - 10 it should be ok for testing
If you are having probs, shop around and find one who understands and will check.
The biggest profit margin seems to be on frames and I find that since developing diabetes I am becoming photosensitive and have prescription polaroid specs for both driving and when I'm outside. All my secs have reglazed lenses now.
 
I have a question related to this - how many of you get your eyes photographed regularly, and how regularly does this happen? I used to go to the Diabetic Eye Clinic which is part of the diabetic clinic at my hospital. They seemed worried and referred me to the Eye Department downstairs. The eye dept have not photographed my eyes for more than a year, they put drops in and the dr looks at my eyes but no photos. This is seriously affecting me since the photos were an important source of motivation - I could see what was happening in my eyes. If I can't see it, I tend to pretend it is not there. Also seeing the photos empowered me, the drs could show me what was happening and I felt included in my own care. That is not possible if they do not take photos, they take the power away and it is just the opinion of one dr. I am also concerned since the DECS people seemed worried but the eye dept people do not, they just said my eyes looked normal for 15 years of diabetes. If I could see a photo I could challenge this, and say what about this, or is that bit normal, but without a photo I can do nothing. If the dr says it is normal I cannot say otherwise.

What do the rest of you think?
 
I think you should still be getting the photograph yearly aswell as seeing the specialist docs. Can you ask next time you have an appointment. the good thing about t he photos is they are directly comparable by anyone.
I've moved around quite alot in the past few years so getting my photograph has been a bit patchy, but I am going on tuesday next week to have it done. I do hate it with a passion though
 
I am going for digital retinal piccies next month which are arranged by my local health board diabetic clinic and are scheduled for an annual repeat.

Even the local optometrist has facilities for this and offered to do it if the hospital were not.

As far as I'm aware, this is a mandatory proceedure by the specialist clinic.
I should contact them and ask the question.
 
Definitely try and have it done at least once a year. I had major lazer work done about 20 years ago and since then my eyes have been stable. I read without glasses, but need them for seeing far - no link to diabetic retiniopathy. I dread to think what might have happened if I did not have it done! So, even if the doctors say there is some bleeding, I would think they might be able to stop it. Keep an eye on your blood pressure if you are worried about your eyes (no pun intended)...
 
Retinal screen varies a lot throught the country, with different trust each having their own procedures.

My local trust sends people out to doctors clinics and use digital equipment with laptops so you can see the results there and then.

It's true though that it's a very unpleasant experience. I always seem to have mine done on a bright day as well :cool: Gives me a headache for at least 24 hrs afterwards.
 
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