Retinopathy

[JoeJOns]

Hi there,

The one thing that scares me about being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, is getting eye problems. I hope I am able to avoid them by keeping my blood sugar in order into the future.

The only thing I'm wondering is, I went into DKA when I was first diagnosed with diabetes, about a month ago, Could this affect my eyesight? or because it was such a sudden onset, my bloods have been good since then and I have only been in DKA once mean I may not have retinopathy?

Although I have read online that some people are diagnosed early, the general believe seemed to be that this complications are rare in the first 10 years?

Thank you all for the support.

 

[Kaylz]

you can have issues with eyesight when newly diagnosed blurry etc as your levels start to come into range

I would say if you do notice any problems go to your optician, don't accept prescription glasses if it's too soon but just to be on the safe side get things checked out

Eye complications can develop even with good control, I talk from experience, I was diagnosed with diabetic macular oedema less than a month after my type 1 diagnosis and have had to have countless eye injections for it, then last October I was diagnosed with proliferative retinopathy which required lasering to both eyes, I'm not even 3 years in yet and have always had reasonably good control

I'm not trying to scare you in anyway I'm just pointing out that things can happen no matter what
xx

 

[SB2015]

Hi there,

The one thing that scares me about being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, is getting eye problems. I hope I am able to avoid them by keeping my blood sugar in order into the future.

The only thing I'm wondering is, I went into DKA when I was first diagnosed with diabetes, about a month ago, Could this affect my eyesight? or because it was such a sudden onset, my bloods have been good since then and I have only been in DKA once mean I may not have retinopathy?

Although I have read online that some people are diagnosed early, the general believe seemed to be that this complications are rare in the first 10 years?

Thank you all for the support.

This is an issue that bothered me, especially at the start. I asked specifically about it at my last appointment. DKA at diagnosis is unlikely to have done lasting damage. Now it is down to good management to keep the glucose levels on target as best you can, to avoid the development of long term complications.

If you are worried about your current management there is loads of help available on here, with very useful strategies. I have learnt most of what I know from others on here, and they have helped me to improve my time in range, and so reduce the possible impact of my T1 on other conditions.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hello Joe,
From my understanding it takes many years of bad control to cause complications. There's no point saying don't worry as sight problems are probably everyone's fear who has diabetes.
All you can do is your best by trying to manage your diabetes as best you can blood sugar and blood pressure are the main factors plus making sure you have plenty of exercise as well.
If you ever develop problems though the technology that is available today and ongoing is amazing and it would be very unfortunate in this day and age for anyone to have sight loss from retinopathy. Even 10 years ago it was a high probability.

During your diabetes journey you will have ups and downs with control so don't panic no one is perfect and we are not machines so having a bad week/month isn't going to make much difference at the end of the day.

Try not to get hung up by your numbers, just use them as a tool to correct and then move on don't dwell on a result as there's a life to be lived. 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

You should be an annual check from now on where they photograph the backs of your eyes and check for any early changes. Hopefully that will put your mind at rest.

 

[Bronco Billy]

It’s very unlikely that one episode of DKA will lead to retinopathy. It’s usually caused by longer term high BGs. My daughter was 6 when she was diagnosed in DKA. She is 16 now and has had annual eye checks since the age of 12. Each one has shown no problems at all.

 

[mikeyB]

I agree with Bronco Billy, DKA doesn’t make any difference to your risk of retinopathy. In the main, good diabetes control will reduce the chance, though that isn’t a guarantee because it’s likely multifactorial. I’ve done 23 years of my T1 sentence with perfect eyes, apart from cataracts which run in the family, diabetic or not.

And Northie will tell you that good control is no guarantee.

Just make sure you get your annual check, and all will be well, all things are treatable at an early stage.

 

[Pigeon]

Hi there, I foolishly left it 6 months after getting symptoms before going to the Dr, I had BG of 20 then. I did worry about what damage this might have done and if this might catch up with me later but 12 years on I have no signs of damage. As others have said, some can be desperately unlucky but otherwise if you have good control and go for your checkups problems are unlikely and can be treated early if detected. Have you been recommended this book ?https://www.amazon.co.uk/Type-Diabetes-Children-Young-Adults/dp/1859595669/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=QCJ4QJZC1BNTSATDM1QZ

I found it really helpful for loads of stuff, I learnt loads about diabetes from it and it has a section on complications with graphs of HBA1C and likelihood of getting complications, I found that really reassuring that even if my control isn't perfact all the time I'm minimising my risk by having as best an HBA1C as I can. I'd definitely recommend it!