my eeys are getting worst

[DDR_Freak88]

im only 15, had diabetes since 11 its been just months ago that i noticed my eyes are getting really bad far sighted and theres nothing I can do about it. My bs is good for the most part (you no everyone gets tired of diet soda) i try to blame it on my lack of sleep but i no its from my diabetes,it gets in the way of everything like video games i notice i sit closer to the tv almost every week, i cant read far roadsigns that great (which dosnt help im getting to that driving age) and in school i try to sit up front (which sucks cuz i always get in trouble for talking or makin jokes). i went to the eye dictor (just yearly checkup) who said there 20/20 still good but i no that theve gotten a lot worst. Anyone have any suggestions cuz i dont want glasses or contacts its just another thing ill have to worry about.

[lgvincent]

I doubt if being far-sighted would be caused by diabetes. I have several friends who became far-sighted while in grammer school and none of them ever developed the disease. I became near-sighted at about the age of 7 but didn't develop diabetes until I reached the ripe old age of 10. I would have to encourage you to try to get your parents to take you to another physician to examine your eyes just to make sure you're not having problems because I would think your vision might be able to change quickly if you're becoming far-sighted. As far as not wanting to wear contacts or glasses if you are far-sighted, I guess you may be stuck with that. I know laser surgery can help people who are near-sighted but don't know what affect it has on far-sighted people but I hope it would have positive effects on their vision as well. However, there are risks to the surgery and your parents will have to take that into consideration before allowing you to go forward with it because there is the potential that it can damage your vision for life.

[mg_2204]

... correct me if I'm wrong but... it's the peripheral vision that goes first, when your eyes have been damaged by diabetes.

Laser surgery to correct vision will not be done before you're 18 or so. I'm far sighted and I was told surgery is available, depending on the degree of it that is...

Perhaps you're doing too much 'screen' time? Get your eyes some rest. Look away from your monitor from time to time... so your eyes can readapt (reajust) to diff depths. Workplace's ergonomist used to tell us to take breaks every 20 minutes or so. It really helps.

A yearly eye test is good but if you experience problems in between visits, mention it to your parents and ask to be tested again. It's not because your eyesight is tested yearly that you can't develop problems at some point. Whatever they are (I just hope they are minor), have it checked out and as soon as possible. Eyesight is a precious gift.

I agree with LG; if you have to wear glasses or contacts, it is something you will have to deal with. Take it from someone who hates wearing glasses (but has to), contacts are the best option.

The very best of luck!

Take good care,

Marie
:)

[Belinda]

Make sure you are seeing someone that specializes in diabetic eye vision...aka make sure it is an opthamologist too ....there is a difference. jGood luck. Been there with the eyes and it is not FUN

[DDR_Freak88]

april is the month wherei get slammed on (its the month when i got diabetes) so i will be going to get my hba1c, my eyes checked, the lamo arm thing i hate, and will be seeing like 5 doctors. man i hate april. SO if theres anything really wrong ittl be found.

[Belinda]

You only get your AIC done once a year?

[DDR_Freak88]

nope i get that health one that tells you ur cholestoral and all that junk that i dont care about, i get my a1c about ebery 4-6 months.

[HeatherP]

Sounds like you need glassed. I had to start wearing them when I was 9. It might not have anything to do w/ the diabetes.

If you don't like glasses, then talk to your doc about trying contact lenses - I like them. If you do choose to go the contact lens route, make sure you only wear them for the allotted time, and be sure to follow "the rules" carefully.

[DDR_Freak88]

contacts=to much work. glasses i would like better cuz i can put them on when I need the, and besides i can tell what mos things are anyway.

[SunniD]

If you have type 1 diabetes, our bodies do not use and store sugar properly. High blood-sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the retina, the nerve layer at the back of the eye
that senses light and helps to send images to the brain.
The damage to retinal vessels is referred to as diabetic retinopathy.

There are two types of diabetic retinopathy: nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR). NPDR, commonly known as background retinopathy, is an early stage of diabetic retinopathy. Tiny blood vessels leak blood or fluid in this stage within the retina. The leaking fluid causes the retina to swell or to form deposits called exudates. Most people with diabeasties have a mild NPDR, which usually doesn't affect their vision or so my eye doc told me. When the vision is affected it is the result of macular edema and/or macular ischemia.
* Macular edema is swelling, or thickening, of the macula,
a small area in the center of the retina that allows us to see fine details clearly. The swelling is caused by fluid leaking from retinal
blood vessels. This is the most common cause of visual loss for people with diabetes. Vision loss may be mild to severe, but even in the worst cases, peripheral vision continues to function.
* Macular ischemia occurs when small blood vessels (capillaries) close. Vision blurs because he macula no longer receives sufficient blood supply to work properly.

PDR (proliferative diabetic retinopathy) is present when abnormal new vessels (neovascularization) begin growing on the surface of the retina or optic nerve. The main cause of PDR is widespread closure of retinal blood vessels, preventing adequate blood flow.
The retina responds by growing new blood vessels in an attempt
to supply blood to the area where the original vessels closed.

Unfortunately, the new, abnormal blood vessels do not resupply the retina with normal blood flow. The new vessels are often
accompanied by scar tissue that may cause wrinkling or detachment of the retina.

PDR may cause more severe vision loss than NPDR because it affects both the central and peripheral vision.
PDR causes vision loss in the following ways which I won't go into detail on: Vitreous hemorrhage
Traction retinal detachment
Neovascular glaucoma

Just wanted to correct the following statement about vision:

... correct me if I'm wrong but... it's the peripheral vision that goes first, when your eyes have been damaged by diabetes.

ymmv of course so it depends on each individuals eyes and medical history but it appears that macular edema is the most common vision loss for us.

Vision loss scares me but my boss, who's nearly blind, says hers is going so gradually that she is getting quite used to coping now without seeing much when she doesn't have her contacts and glasses on.

Hope this explanation helps us understand the importance of keeping good bg control and if the budget permits taking some vitamins/minerals to help our eyes and keep vessels from leaking.

SunniD

[dpav]

Good details Sunni
I have had the vitrectomy in my right eye due to bleeding that was not controlled and my body was not able to clear the vitreous on its own. I have had peripheral laser in both eyes and had to have my right eye redone with a vitral wash. There was no inter-operative laser at that time to fix the problem. I had my eye removed from the socket and the outside of it frozen (posterior Chryopathy) to do the same as the laser. I have some peripheral vision loss from all of the operations. But now a days the surgeries are so well practiced that most people can have a vitrectomy and keep good vision like 20/20 after the surgery and healing is all over. This is the way it was after the first vitrectomy. If they laserd my eye soon enough I would have not had to get the second vitral wash and loose part of my vision from that surgery.

My left eye has had center grid laser and all has remained stable for well over 15 years. They feel as though I will not have any more problems due to its stability.

That is and has been good news for me. I went through a lot of problems about 20 years ago. I was in the beginning of the surgery period for the vitrctomies. I started in California and I got the rest in Ohio. My vision has been stable at 20/40 for the past 15 years.
The blurriness in vision can happen with blood sugar variances and simple visual stress.
Don