Question about retinopathy?

[Snaron]

About two months ago I went to my ophthalmologist for my yearly checkup and was told that I had diabetic retinopathy. He wanted me to have some pictures take of my eyes and come back in 6 months. Prior to that appointment, I was begining to see some blind spots in my eyes only when i would close one and leave the other open. The blind spots are not black spots but, are intensely blurring spots near the center of my vision. Like I said I don't see them when i have both eyes open. Only when I have one eye open do I notice them. It seems to be getting worse as time goes by. It is something that worries me to death. My questions are has anyone experienced this same problem? I assume that if it was that bad my doctor would have scheduled me and appt. for laser surgery. I have been doing everything in my power to keep my blood sugar under control since hearing the news but there is still the occasional high about once a week. I also feel that it is starting to effect my vision with both eyes open now. By the way, I am 25 years old and been type 1 diabetic since I was 13. Am I going to lose my vision completely before I die? Anything, you guys could comment on would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[xMenace]

Am I going to lose my vision completely before I die?

I can't give a percentage, but I can tell you if you control your A1C's and get treated, you'll likely at least have decades. I'm way way past you, and my optho gives me 20 years before more troubles.

It sounds like edema or a leakage that's swelling a bit. Get those pictures taken, preferably with die (I forget the term). They are tough to isolate, so die helps to id the source of leakage. Laser may be needed, but often it's not. Avastin shots are also a possibility. Don't be afraid, they are not as bad as they sound.

If your eyes are worsening, you should get back in.

[genie86333]

First of all...take it easy - I know it's not easy because anything to do with damage to your eyes is scary, but remember stress can cause your sugar levels to go up! Also remember there's a lot the doctors can do now, like the shots also mentioned by the other poster & the laser surgery.

Next, remember if it was really bad, the doctor would have scheduled laser surgery instead of telling you to come back in 6 months.

I just went through the exact same thing less than 2 months ago (although mine was a sudden change in one eye - bent over & when I sat back up, my left eye had gone blurry in the exact center of my vision) & even though mine wasn't "too bad" according to my doctor, he scheduled laser surgery right away. (for the record my vision' totally back to normal now, although it took about a month to totally clear back up -- big relief since my mom went blind from his back in the 1940s... back before they had ways of treating it!)

That being said, if you've noticed a change, I'd contact the doctor's office. Can't hurt for them to take another peek. In the meantime keep working on your sugar levels

[Jill-O]

I think if it turns out you even do need laser surgery, if you keep tight control, the surgery (if needed) and good control will keep things from progressing. I have it, have had one surgery which was mild but turned out I needed a more intense version which I'm "recovering" from now in one eye, with the other eye to be done soon.