Eyes

[Netball1]

Hi everyone,
I had an eye photo (no drops) back in February and the results came back ‘clinically stable’.
This week I went for a mobile screening check and I received a recall letter saying I showed ‘signs of maculopathy’ and I need to attend for a further detailed screening/treatment.

I’m very shocked and worried now! as for 20 years the only bad result has been stage 1 retinopathy and ‘no treatment required’

I’m type 1 for 30 years.
Anyone else had a similar recall?

Thanks,
Netball1

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi Netball1, so sorry to hear about this new diagnosis.

I'm not surprised you're worried as it's quite a shock but we do have a few members who've had a similar experience so might be worth having a look through the search results https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/search/130201/?q=maculopathy&o=date.

We've got some general info on our main site too which mat help and you can always call us on 0345 123 2399 to ask any questions you may have and for further support https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/complications/retinopathy/how-is-retinopathy-treated.

 

[Oliver Bull]

Sorry to hear your news. T1 has an indelible memory even if it doesn't let you know straight away.

The last treatment I had was 1994 for bleeding. Self-inflicted I am sorry to say.

Would not panic but 100% get it checked by the best surgeon/expert you can.



Kindest regards

 

[Rob Oldfield]

Hi @Netball1
The problem with the mobile screening check is that the equipment they use isn't as advanced as they'll have available in the main hospital. They'll be wanting to check you out with some incredibly detailed analysis (at mine they let me see the results - it's astonishing the level they get down to). From that they'll be able to determine whether any further work is needed.
Fingers crossed you won't need anything more but, if you do, then - from my experience - it's not as bad as you might be thinking. I did actually have some further treatment required a few years back and it sounds a great deal scarier than it actually is.
If you're after more detail then there's an old thread on here that I could dig out. Let me know if that would be useful for you.

 

[cgold1995]

Hi guys

Just wondering how you knew your eyes were bleeding? Could you not see? Blurred vision?

 

[Rob Oldfield]

Hi guys

Just wondering how you knew your eyes were bleeding? Could you not see? Blurred vision?

I didn't have bleeding or blurring, but problems were picked up by the regular check I was getting. Those should be part of your regular treatment. If not, then you should definitely be raising it as an issue.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hi guys

Just wondering how you knew your eyes were bleeding? Could you not see? Blurred vision?

As I understand it, many of the changes that diabetes can cause to the backs of the eyes do not necessarily result in any obvious or evident changes to vision - which is why regular screening is so important.

It can pick up microscopic changes to the backs of the eyes way before vision is affected, so that treatment can be started sooner, and hopefully any progression can be slowed or reversed.

If you have noticed changes in your vision, it would be worth getting checked out, I think.