My Eye Screeing Shows SOME Signs Of Diabetic Retinopathy.......whats the treatment ?

I am quite new here and just reading through this gives me some hope. I was diagnosed about 19 months ago but suspected something was wrong before that. I had just lost my husband and really didn't want to face up to anything else. 3 months ago I had my first retinal screening unfortunately it was r2m1. I have lost about 2 stone since diagnosis and got my BG down from over 100 to 56. Still trying! I am now terrified most days and continually courted internet for success stories that there is a chance they can save my sight. It is awful all consuming. I sit most days thinking I am going to be blind and alone. I have an oct scan in 4 weeks I guess so they can determine if I need treatment. My visual acuity so far is good but I don't know how long for. Can anyone please advise? Xx
 
Chelseamad said:
I am quite new here and just reading through this gives me some hope. I was diagnosed about 19 months ago but suspected something was wrong before that. I had just lost my husband and really didn't want to face up to anything else. 3 months ago I had my first retinal screening unfortunately it was r2m1. I have lost about 2 stone since diagnosis and got my BG down from over 100 to 56. Still trying! I am now terrified most days and continually courted internet for success stories that there is a chance they can save my sight. It is awful all consuming. I sit most days thinking I am going to be blind and alone. I have an oct scan in 4 weeks I guess so they can determine if I need treatment. My visual acuity so far is good but I don't know how long for. Can anyone please advise? Xx
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Welcome to the forum
Probably not what you want to hear but your eye screening result indicates some severe retinopathy and you should be seen by a hospital eye specialist which hopefully is who you will see following the OCT scan.
Dr google says Pre-proliferative retinopathy (severe) – high risk R2M0 / R2M1
The retina shows severe pre-proliferative changes that need further assessment. The next appointment will be at the local hospital with an eye specialist. Severe pre-proliferative eye disease is more likely to progress to proliferative retinopathy that needs treatment within a year.
Certainly keeping your blood glucose well managed will help to stabilise your eye condition.
 
Hi, thank you for replying. Sorry I haven't explained very well. I have googled and doodles and understand what all the numbers mean. I guess what I was hoping for is that this can be successfully treated and doesn't mean I am definitely going to go blind. Thanks.
 
Chelseamad said:
Hi, thank you for replying. Sorry I haven't explained very well. I have googled and doodles and understand what all the numbers mean. I guess what I was hoping for is that this can be successfully treated and doesn't mean I am definitely going to go blind. Thanks.
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So if I'm reading it right you have pre-proliferative background retinopathy and also maculopathy. (I'm in Oz where we don't use the same ranking system so apols if I've gtten that wrong.)

Obviously you really need to talk with the eye specialist but as I understand it:

- "Pre-proliferative" means you're at heightened risk of progressing to proliferative retinopathy, the bad kind. But progression is by no means inevitable, particularly if you keep your BG well-controlled, do the same for BP and absolutely do not smoke. I'd guess that they'll put you on a 3 or 6 monthly monitoring regime; no intervention unless things get worse, maybe laser treatment if they do; chances are it won't be necessary. (That's just from reasing the protocols etc; haven't had to deal with this personally.)

- Maybe similar for the maculopathy, but if necessary the usual tratement would be a course of Eylea injections (or one of its competitor drugs), which generally work pretty well (anyway, they resolved mine - I have had to deal with this one, but it wasn't that big a deal in the end).
 
Sorry to hear about your retinopathy news while you are grieving. That’s really tough, and could be just the sort of thing your brain and thinking could latch onto in a negative way :(

You have only very recently significantly improved your glucose management, and in some cases a rapid improvement can bring about a temporary ‘flare up’ of retinopathy, which can later improve to some extent. I don’t know if this will be the case for you, but some members have seen their retinopathy scores stabilise, or improve as their improved BGs settle in.

Hope further investigations offer you some reassurance, and peace of mind.
 
Thank you again. Yes Eddy Edson that's the correct interpretation. They said no treatment required at the moment but I have to be seen within 3 months. I am guessing the OCT has a to double check nothing needs to be done at this stage or treatment needs to be started. Apparently there are signs of maculopathy but I think it may be a wait and see approach. I have my OCT in 4 weeks time.
 
Chelseamad said:
Thank you again. Yes Eddy Edson that's the correct interpretation. They said no treatment required at the moment but I have to be seen within 3 months. I am guessing the OCT has a to double check nothing needs to be done at this stage or treatment needs to be started. Apparently there are signs of maculopathy but I think it may be a wait and see approach. I have my OCT in 4 weeks time.
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Might be worth having a chat with yr eye specialist about this: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-u...l-lowering-drug-slows-progression-retinopathy

Fenofibrate to slow retinopathy progression is a common prescription here in Oz (I take it), based on results from earlier, less clear trials. Not so in most other places, including the UK, but the big, high-profile trial discussed in that link might help to change things & I'm sure your eye specialist would have a view.
 
Taffyboyslim said:
Letter says they will see me again at next scheduled test .....1 year I assume?

Is it just a case of striving really hard to get these glucose levels down between medication for sugars and cholesterol , sensible eating and weight loss?

Thank guys
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I can only advise I have had the same letter, however, since then no matter what improvements on control and diet management I have done it didn't seem to make a difference.
I have had four rounds of laser treatment which didn't do as wanted and so I am now going to be having my fourth round of Eye Injections and I am yet to know if it has worked.
I am one of those people who can watch any kind of gross things and will watch rather than look away when bloods are taken, however, in my eyes is not a chance, this is far too scary it freaks me out sooo much.
I think try not to stress thinking about, keep up the amazing work with whatever your doing to help manage it and what will be will be.

Good luck!!!
 
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