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Retinopathy screening - it this normal?

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J

Jill

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Recent eye screening appointment went OK but, after the drops to dilate the pupils, my left eye took over 24 hours before returning to normal. The right eye took the advised 4-6 hours. Also, a day later I suffered pain in both eyes and migraine-like disruption of vision followed the next day by soreness and itching.

Last year's screening was fine but the eye drops were very painful so I asked for an alternative this time and wonder if the different drops caused the problems.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar please?

(PS. When did I become a senior member - feel very special!!)
 
100+ posts makes you a senior member Jill 🙂

I haven't suffered the after-effects you have had - does the eye look OK? You'd expect that, if it was something you would react to, it would affect both eyes equally. Is it possible you might have inadvertently rubbed it or something, perhaps even in your sleep? Perhaps it would be worth a check from your nurse or doctor? Hope all is restored to normality soon! 🙂
 
Hi Jill

I had my test early January & it was the second 1 since diagnosed.

This year both my eyes were more irritated than last year & still were the next morning almost like having bits of grit in them. It did settle over the second day.

The drops hurt (type of burning) when first put in but this dissapeared in a matter of seconds.

Not sure why 1 eye only effected; if still sore I'd go to GP or back to opticians so they can have a look & check all ok.

I did have a problem; bought what I thought was a pair of navy shoes in the sale on my way home; put them on this morning they are "black".

Take care
 
100 posts?? What a gas-bag! Can't believe I've posted so many times 🙂

Thanks for your response Alan. My eyes now seem perfectly normal thank goodness but I was worried for a while. The hand-out I was given said to get in touch with them if vision became increasingly 'misty' as this would indicate a possible allergic reaction but that was one symptom not experienced.
 
Jill said:
100 posts?? What a gas-bag! Can't believe I've posted so many times 🙂

Thanks for your response Alan. My eyes now seem perfectly normal thank goodness but I was worried for a while. The hand-out I was given said to get in touch with them if vision became increasingly 'misty' as this would indicate a possible allergic reaction but that was one symptom not experienced.
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If you're a gas-bag, what does that make me? 😱 😉 Good to hear that your eye is fully recovered, certainly worth mentioning next time you go. Possibly even ask if they could try without drops - not everyone needs them 🙂
 
I've certainly had dilated pupils in one eye for a long time when the other has returned to normal The amount in a drop is tiny, very easy to put more in one eye than the other, but that has been the only side-effect after the initial sting.
I've got to do that this afternoon, 1 drop in each eye an hour before the appointment (ugh)

edit:
back from check: He used a new (to me) machine (optical coherance tomography) to look at eyes. Produces pretty but incomprehensible printouts, relief as don't need to see him for another year.
top tip: 6pm appointments on dull winter days are much less of a problem than days where you walk out into the glare of bright sunlight
 
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HelenM said:
I've certainly had dilated pupils in one eye for a long time when the other has returned to normal The amount in a drop is tiny, very easy to put more in one eye than the other, but that has been the only side-effect after the initial sting.
I've got to do that this afternoon, 1 drop in each eye an hour before the appointment (ugh)



That's a relief to hear Helen - it seemed odd to have one pupil back to normal whilst the other remained dilated and had never happened that way before but what you say makes a lot of sense - thanks for that.

Glad your test is out of the way for another year; hope all is well.
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It's possible that more drops got into the eye in which the symptoms lasted longest - even if the same number of drops are dropped into each eye, it's possible for some to miss one eye or for more to run out of one than the other.

Glad to hear symptoms have resolved - always worth phoning the screening service or following instructions of who to call / visit if things are unexpected.
 
I'm always amazed any stays in my eyes - 'it' runs out of everywhere - well that's a lie - only eyes and nose - for what seems ages after they've put em in!
 
I'm really lucky, never having needed the drops. I'm very short sighted so my pupils dilate on their own the moment I take off my specs. I'm glad things are back to normal now but it might be worth mentioning next time you're in the surgery anyway.
 
Alison you are a lucky lady, I hate having it done as it burns and makes me feel sick so just go home and try to sleep for an hour or two then drink plenty of water. I was told by the blokey who does it that it's an acid mix they put in, don't know what the mix is but the "acid" part sure put me into an unnecessary lol.
 
I found it amusing when I went to the hospital for my retinopathy check, because I was left to sit and wait for half an hour and surrounded by all manner of leaflets, posters and even a little bookcase to occupy my time - but I couldn't see!!!

I've written a few poems about my retinopathy scan experiences:

http://diabetespoetry.blogspot.com/2009/07/wide-eyed-world.html
http://diabetespoetry.blogspot.com/2009/09/background-retinopathy.html
http://diabetespoetry.blogspot.com/2010/11/eye-hospital.html

:D
 
I know Alan - cracks me up! - normally Pete comes with me (to drive and just be company for the boring 20 minute bit LOL) and you know when they show you the pics afterwards? - I have not much idea of what the backs of my eyes look like - sort of very fuzzily roundish, with a marbling of red veins aren't they? whereas by now Pete could probably draw you a detailed diagram!
 
trophywench said:
I know Alan - cracks me up! - normally Pete comes with me (to drive and just be company for the boring 20 minute bit LOL) and you know when they show you the pics afterwards? - I have not much idea of what the backs of my eyes look like - sort of very fuzzily roundish, with a marbling of red veins aren't they? whereas by now Pete could probably draw you a detailed diagram!
Click to expand...

The last time I was at the hospital the consultant was showing my where the area of concern was on his computer screen. I thought, 'If he doesn't realise that I can't actually see this, then can I trust what HE is seeing?' 😱 🙄
 
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