Eyes again...

[AlisonM]

Lawks! I've heard of the injections but never needed such. We had a talk at a DUK meeting a couple of years ago and the eye chap who came along was very reassuring about the treatments used. He said they sound awful but rarely are. You will need an escort if they do it though, no staggering round bumping into walls and talking to letter boxes as you try to find the bus stop.

 

[Matt Cycle]

Sorry to hear this Alan, hope it turns out okay. Do you think some of the eye problems you've had were due to running unsuspected high levels for some time before you were diagnosed? I know everyone is different but it does seem relatively quick to get problems especially as you mention your levels on the whole seem pretty good.

 

[stephknits]

I shall be taking particular note of those eyelashes at our next forum meet 😉. Hope things progress well for you.

 

[Northerner]

Sorry to hear this Alan, hope it turns out okay. Do you think some of the eye problems you've had were due to running unsuspected high levels for some time before you were diagnosed? I know everyone is different but it does seem relatively quick to get problems especially as you mention your levels on the whole seem pretty good.

No real explanations given Matt. They didn't really notice anything for the first 2-3 years after diagnosis, just a bit of background retinopathy that then resolved itself. Then one scan showed the problem near the macula. I've only had a tiny bit of lasering done on that eye a year or so ago. The most annoying thing is that the apparent way to improve it or at least not make it worse is to keep good BG, BP and cholesterol - all are very well-controlled so it doesn't leave me much of a chance to work on anything! 🙄 The worrying thing is that it affects both eyes now rather than just the left one

Anyway, I'm not going to worry about it, just do my best to keep things under good control. The great thing this forum has taught me is that, however dire things might get, there is usually something they can do to treat it 🙂

 

[Stitch147]

Fingers crossed when you go back it hasn't got any worse.

 

[Northerner]

Thanks Stitch 🙂

I found this page which describes the condition and treatments.

 

[Flower]

I'm so sorry to hear this Northerner. Diabetes complications really do come with a big helping of genetics and plain bad luck especially when your control is so good.

I know lucentis and eylea injections help brilliantly to maintain central vision accuity with maculopathy should the need arise but send you all my best positive vibes that things stay quiet and well behaved. I know how hard it is not to worry when you literally can't look the other way but there are some great treatments around now to maintain clarity when things are caught early and monitored well.

 

[Northerner]

Thanks Flower, much appreciated 🙂

 

[KookyCat]

Sorry it wasn't better news Northerner. I think Flower is spot on genetics play a massive part in it all, and some "complications" may actually have appeared without the diabetes. They do amazing things these days, although I hope they don't need to do anything, if they do I'm sure you'll be in great hands. BTW 20 years ago I had injections into my eye because of a post operative infection that caused severe fluid build up, it sounds so much worse than it actually is I promise, a bit uncomfortable, but nowhere near as horrid as it sounds. Fingers crossed 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Good to hear they are keeping close tabs on your eyes Alan. Really sorry to hear that you might need those injections - hope the 'no treatment needed' conversations continue!

As others have said, it seems so completely unfair when your diabetes management is so exemplary

 

[novorapidboi26]

@Northerner , sorry for popping in on an old post but it came up on a search I performed on the macula....

I have just had letter a few weeks back saying fluid has been spotted in my right eye after the last two years being mild maculopathy....

no treatment was needed and going back in 3 months and this was fine as there was no visual impairments.....

for the last two days however my right eye has had a slight blur, its mild, its more like a slight offset of things like car head lights and street lights.....

I'm pretty worried and I know I probably don't need to be..I have booked in to the local opticians for a further check to see if it has got worse or needs treatment.....

did you have any similar blur issues with your eyes....?

 

[Ljc]

Hi @novorapidboi26 . I am afraid Northener is not around atm.
I am sorry to hear about your eye .
I think the best thing would be to contact the department that you are under for your eye. I hope it turns out you are worrying over nothing. Do let us know how you get on.

 

[Kaylz]

I would definitely advise you phone the department you are being seen by as you and @Ljc say it could be nothing but I was diagnosed with DMO only a couple of weeks after being diagnosed with diabetes, only picked up as I had to have my eyes tested every year due to glaucoma in the family, there was no sign of it the previous year so only developed in the last year, just give them a ring if your worried, hope your ok and good luck 🙂 x

 

[novorapidboi26]

Hi @novorapidboi26 . I am afraid Northener is not around atm.
I am sorry to hear about your eye .
I think the best thing would be to contact the department that you are under for your eye. I hope it turns out you are worrying over nothing. Do let us know how you get on.

Thanks,

I just seen the post explaining Northies absence....

My clinic, who are busy and cant just take you in that day, said to book in with the local optician for an examination to see if it has worsened from a few weeks ago....

Its likely it hasn't but the symptoms of the fluid leakage are becoming more obvious, either that or I am imagining it.....which wouldn't be the first time...😉

thanks again....

 

[grovesy]

Good luck.

 

[AJLang]

@novorapidboi26 unfortunately I'm an expert at macula problems although, ironically, mine aren't because of diabetes. However I do know that the advice from various opticians is to have a look at an amsler chart (which you can easily find via google) and if there is any distortion with either eye (you need to check each eye individually) go straight to eye casualty (most hospitals have them open until 5pm on weekdays). I am 99.9% certain that an optician cannot see if there is a problem with your macula, there is a special machine that the eye hospital has to use and we have one at our eye casualty department. And yes, what you are describing is similar to what I had when a retinal vein occlusion which caused me to have non-diabetic macula odema. Unfortunately as this was several years ago there was no treatment, but I understand that now eye injections are available they may halt macula odema but they cannot improve damage already caused to vision. If you go to eye casualty and they say there's nothing wrong that's brilliant. But if you don't go and there is a problem they won't be able to arrange an urgent referral to the clinic for treatment. Please let us know how you get on.

 

[Ljc]

Good luck.

 

[novorapidboi26]

@novorapidboi26 unfortunately I'm an expert at macula problems although, ironically, mine aren't because of diabetes. However I do know that the advice from various opticians is to have a look at an amsler chart (which you can easily find via google) and if there is any distortion with either eye (you need to check each eye individually) go straight to eye casualty (most hospitals have them open until 5pm on weekdays). I am 99.9% certain that an optician cannot see if there is a problem with your macula, there is a special machine that the eye hospital has to use and we have one at our eye casualty department. And yes, what you are describing is similar to what I had when a retinal vein occlusion which caused me to have non-diabetic macula odema. Unfortunately as this was several years ago there was no treatment, but I understand that now eye injections are available they may halt macula odema but they cannot improve damage already caused to vision. If you go to eye casualty and they say there's nothing wrong that's brilliant. But if you don't go and there is a problem they won't be able to arrange an urgent referral to the clinic for treatment. Please let us know how you get on.

Hi, thanks...

I phoned the clinic initially and t hey gave me a list of opticians in my local area who do have the correct machinery......this is because the actual clinic is heaving and you need to wait months to get in....

The fluid being observed currently is very small and doesn't need treatment.....

but I am fearful of a quick and unexpected deterioration as thats how life works usually......

I am really after reassurance or for someone to tell me its OK and that they can fire a laser in to get rid of the blur....the blur again is minor, very subtle, but noticeable.....

going to arrange an appointment for tomorrow hopefully...

 

[Kaylz]

If you have DMO which I'm not saying it is it would probably be an injection into your eye rather than a laser, let us know how you get on and good luck 🙂 x

 

[AJLang]

To check if the macula problem has progressed you need an OCT scan. I'm certain that opticians do not have this - they just have the machines that we have at normal retinal screening. Did you speak to a doctor at the hospital or a receptionist/nurse? Im really sorry that I'm being strong with what im saying but i had a serious problem (due to my original macula problem) which was only dealt with quickly because I went to eye casualty. At the time all I could do was describe the problem as my eye feeling slightly blobby - it could have ended up taking my sight but the quick treatment prevented that. I'm not trying to scare you if there are eye problems quick detection is vital.