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Retinopathy letter :(

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Northerner

Northerner

Admin (Retired)
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Just got the letter through from my scan a couple of weeks ago and it doesn't sound great :( "The scans of the back of your eyes showed significant diabetic changes that require further assessment by an opthamologist in the eye clinic to see if treatment is required. You may be offered laser or other treatment by the doctor"

Bah! Ah well, no point in worrying, have to go back in 8 weeks.

The good news is that my visual acuity is 6/6 for my right eye and 6/9 for my left. The left eye is also the one where I have had trouble with the changes near the macula and had some 'light lasering' done last year.
 
My turn to offer sympathy after you offered yours to me yesterday! Hope all turns out well for you.
 
I'm sorry to hear that Northerner. I hope it won't require more treatment and will be monitored regularly for you.

Not much comfort but I was surprised how many laser sessions I had - probably about 8+ - before I started to notice a difference in my vision, it doesn't all start changing immediately should further laser be required. I wish you well.
 
Flower said:
I'm sorry to hear that Northerner. I hope it won't require more treatment and will be monitored regularly for you.

Not much comfort but I was surprised how many laser sessions I had - probably about 8+ - before I started to notice a difference in my vision, it doesn't all start changing immediately should further laser be required. I wish you well.
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Thanks Flower 🙂 It's frustrating more than anything, but on the other hand I'm very grateful for the level of care I am receiving. At least I now have some idea of what to expect from lasering, so it's no longer a 'fear of the unknown'.
 
I'm sorry too, Northerner, it doesn't seem fair or right when you spend so much time caring for the rest of us! Hope it all goes well and your peepers will be A-OK!
 
That's a bummer Alan :( I'm really sorry you have received the dreaded letter. Fingers crossed it all works out well for you.
 
I'm sorry to hear that Northerner but hopefully it will all settle down quickly without too much intervention.
 
ARgh! Worded just so that you'll worry for the next eight weeks! Will be keeping everything crossed for you.
 
Hope it is not as bad as it sounds and the further appointment goes well for you
 
I hope it's nothing to worry about, but those letters need some serious patient input. In fact I wonder why it's done by letter at all in this day and age. Then they wonder why so many people opt out, most likely because they're scaring the bejesus out of them. Sorry ranting now. Fingers and toes crossed.
 
Hope it works out okay Northerner.

I agree the wording on the letters could be a bit more sensitive. After years of getting a no problems letter and see you in 12 months around 5 years ago I got the 'detected background retinopathy' one. I was devastated, thinking will I go blind and going over the times when my blood sugar (especially in the early years) was up and down like a yo-yo. The information leaflet with the letter gave more detail and it said nothing to be done at this stage and see you in 12 months. It did make me worry though.
 
It frustrates me - why are some affected and some not?

I have background changes and the Tech said to me the last time, well - it is to be expected you know, after 10 years or so. I said How about 43 years, what should I expect then? and fell about laughing.

And there's Alan - diabetic for 5 minutes ...... And not just him.

I think it must purely and simply be LUCK.
 
Oh sorry to hear this! I hope it's nothing too serious. Keep us updated
 
Rosiecarmel said:
Oh sorry to hear this! I hope it's nothing too serious. Keep us updated
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Thanks Rosie 🙂 As has been suggested, it can't be hugely serious or they wouldn't be waiting 8 weeks to call me in. I've had a similar letter for the past 4 years and there has only been one occasion where they felt the need for any treatment. I was rather hoping though that that small amount of lasering might have solved the problem.
 
Ack! Sorry to read this Alan. Hope you can keep the worry at bay over the next few weeks and that it turns out to be nothing like as gloomy and doom-laden as the letter.
 
I hope everything will be OK when you go back Good luck.
 
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