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Eyes and Visual Disturbances
- Thread starter DJKT
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rebrascora
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Floaters are pretty normal and I think probably increase as you get older, but mostly your brain learns to ignore them.
Have you been having regular retinal screening since diagnosis with diabetes and if so, has some retinopathy been detected? I have had one instance of background retinopathy a few years ago but it resolved itself by the following year. I think of these as being similar to a small bruise or cut somewhere else on your body in that they have the ability to heal, but larger bruises or wounds can leave lasting damage/scarring and it is the same with the retina which is a very delicate part of the body. Keeping your diabetes as well managed as possible and your BG levels as stable as you can and your blood pressure well managed is important to minimise the risk of retinal bleeds or deterioration of them. Because my retinopathy was very minor and resolved itself, I haven't needed laser treatment but we have embers who have needed laser and injections in some cases.
I don't know anything about shadows.... do you mean retinal bleeds which will likely show up as shadows on your retinal photos or do you mean actual shadows in your vision?
Have you been having regular retinal screening since diagnosis with diabetes and if so, has some retinopathy been detected? I have had one instance of background retinopathy a few years ago but it resolved itself by the following year. I think of these as being similar to a small bruise or cut somewhere else on your body in that they have the ability to heal, but larger bruises or wounds can leave lasting damage/scarring and it is the same with the retina which is a very delicate part of the body. Keeping your diabetes as well managed as possible and your BG levels as stable as you can and your blood pressure well managed is important to minimise the risk of retinal bleeds or deterioration of them. Because my retinopathy was very minor and resolved itself, I haven't needed laser treatment but we have embers who have needed laser and injections in some cases.
I don't know anything about shadows.... do you mean retinal bleeds which will likely show up as shadows on your retinal photos or do you mean actual shadows in your vision?
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Welcome to the forum @DJKT
I think it’s completely natural to worry about changes to eyes. I’m another who has had one or two ‘background changes’ letters over the years from annual sreening, with ‘all clears’ in between.
I had background changes on my last screening, so I’ll have to wait and see if they persist when I get called back early 2025.
Attending the screening appointments is so important to get early-alerts to any changes in the eyes, as they can pick up tiny differences long before they have any visible impact on what you see.
Laser treatment can be very effective, and quite a few on the forum have had successful laser treatment over the years.
I think it’s completely natural to worry about changes to eyes. I’m another who has had one or two ‘background changes’ letters over the years from annual sreening, with ‘all clears’ in between.
I had background changes on my last screening, so I’ll have to wait and see if they persist when I get called back early 2025.
Attending the screening appointments is so important to get early-alerts to any changes in the eyes, as they can pick up tiny differences long before they have any visible impact on what you see.
Laser treatment can be very effective, and quite a few on the forum have had successful laser treatment over the years.
Flower
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Hi @DJKT and welcome
Are you experiencing eye problems at present or being treated for retinopathy?
I’ve experienced all of the above over many years & am blind in my left eye partially sighted in my right. Is there something specific about eye problems you want to discuss or get advice about?
Retinopathy is a silent complication which is why screening is vital. Retinal bleeds are terrifying & usually happen with proliferative retinopathy where abnormal fragile vessels grow in the retina. They are very quick to bleed causing blood to get trapped in the eyeball jelly & partially or totally obscure vision. Laser is used to seal off areas of new vessel growth & protect the rest of the retina from further damage. It’s an effective way to preserve sight although it also destroys parts of the damaged retina if you need a lot of it.
I have a lot of floaters, mine are mainly from scar tissue from the eye surgery I’ve had, mine are harmless but annoying and look enormous floating across my sight - in reality they’re tiny. Likewise they cast shadows and shapes on my still functioning retina.
The best thing is to attend regular retinal screening & if you notice anything abnormal seek help fast from opticians/ hospital. Retinal screening didn’t exist back in the 80’s when my sight got so damaged, its the best way to get early warning of any problems & changes.
Hope that helps, it’s just my personal experience.
DisneyDiabetic
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Over the last year or so I had noticed some sight changes. My right eye was like looking through a wet window I couldn't make out anything. Went to get an eye test and was told I had cataracts. 43 years old and had a moderate cataract in my right eye and less moderate in my left. Had both cataracts removed and even though I still sometimes need glasses my eye sight is so much better. But did make me think was this the start of my diabetes?
Nayshiftin
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I had a lot of visual changes when I changed my diet to low carb. Recently I have been troubled by lots of floaters. I did go and get tested and tge optician said there were many floaters but everything was okay. Only in severe cases they can do a operation but as sight is nit affected unlikely id ever think of it. Glad My surgery calls yearly for a diabetic screening as I remain slightly unconvinced that my right eye has no problem. However anyone who thinks there is something wrong can always see their optician . Mine always says any problems get in touch.
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