Why is my doctor so concerned with me getting eye exam?

[Ms.PacMan]

Please forgive what must seem like a stupid question to you all, but I was just diagnosed last week and I have ALOT to learn yet.


Anyway, I got a phone call yesterday from the clinic where I was diagnosed, and they want to set me up with an eye doctor from Vanderbilt who comes to the clinic periodically to examine their diabetic patients. They seemed to think it was really important, and then, looking on this forum, I find a whole thread dedicated to eyes. So I guess it really IS as important as they stressed.


But anyway, I am reading so much right now when it comes to diabetes that I was hoping that, rather than read all the many threads in this area right now, that maybe somebody might sort of explain the problem in "newbie" terms for me. That way, I can spend my limited time reading up on other diabetically related stuff -- all of which is new to me.


It just seems like there is SO MUCH to learn, and so many adjustments to make with this diagnosis.


Thanks in advance for your consideration.

[Jill-O]

YES!!!

It is truly important. Hopefully all is well with your eyes, but you may have some damage that a specialist can address and do things to keep from getting worse.

It's not even 2 years since I have been diagnosed, but I needed special laser surgery (not lasik) to stop vessles that were leaking in my eyes and the leaking causes damage. If I had not gone, damage would have been on going.

The appointment will be painless. The doctor will look at your eyes and maybe get pictures then, or schedule another appointment for it. You'll know if everything's okay, or if there's something that should be done.

Also, know that eye glass type appointments do not in any way detect if you've got the types of problems you need to be checked out for. I wear eye glasses and have had regular appointments for them. They never caught anything yet I had significant diabetic issues with my eyes.

Hopefully others will join in to let you know it really, truly is important to get this kind of an eye doctor appointment.

Good luck,
Jill

[morrisma]

Another reason you want an eye exam as soon after diagnosis as possible is so that you have a baseline against which future changes can be compared.

I hate that bright light but it's worth it. One test I've had done that my optometrist recommends for diabetics is called a field of vision test. You click left or right when you see the flash and it lets the doc know if there are any holes in your field.

Good luck.
Mike

[diabetorati]

Yes it is probably just to get a first examination and then have a record for every year after that. You need to have you eyes checked to see if there is any sign of damage because of the way diabetes effects the blood vessels in the back of the eyes.

Unless they looked before, they have probably just called you back to have a first check and then monitor you from now on.

Good luck, Walter Adamson
diabetorati (http://www.diabetorati.com)

[Ms.PacMan]

Thank you for explaining the problem to me.


I went ahead and let them schedule the appointment for me even though I didn't understand the significance of the testing because the folks at the clinic seemed to think it was so important.


Now, I am glad I agreed to the exam.


I go later this month to have it done.


Thanks again for explaining the eye problem to me.

[xMenace]

Sugar molecules are very similar to glass molecules. As they flow through your blood vessels, they rip, tear, and clog. This very much affects your circulation. Your eyes have the smallest, finest blood vessels. They are typically the first to be affected by high sugars, and the impact can be devastating. We all battle eye complications. Some have no detectable damage, some of us have severe damage, and some have lost significant vision and even entire eyes. I recall that some 30,000 American diabetics will go blind this year.

Technology has advanced very much, and they do a great job saving our vision. The biggest defenses though are early detection and well controlled sugars. Have an annual dialated exam and keep that A1C below 6!

If you think one visit is annoying, be glad you don't have to go for a dozen or more visits a year like I've done.

[amccrazgrl]

My least favorite diabetic related Dr to go to is the eye dr. That was up until this last time I went last week. They have a new machine that checks your eyes so you don't need eye drops to dialate your eyes. It cost an extra $35 here in VA. I hated the eye dr because I hate eye drops.
My eyes are fine even though I have been wearing glasses full-time since 5th grade (94/95?).

Just keep your sugars in order because I'm sure you would hate to lose your eyesight.

[notme]

I went to a retina specialty doctor yesterday. He said that with time, no matter how well you have cared for your blood sugar, eventually there will be changes in your blood vessels. Your eyes are the first to show the changes. Blood sugar fluctuation as well as high blood sugar will have a damaging effect on your blood vessels.

I had a complete exam including a flourscein angiogram. Dye was injected into my arm and my eyes were photographed to see how the dye dispersed. Never heard of this before.

After 22 years of diabetes, I have some beginning background retinopathy. I was told that he will continue to examine my eyes every three months for awhile to map any changes. The damage is closer to my macula than I would like and was told that I have some minimal swelling of the macula. I was told not to worry. I am worried.

Go to your eye doctor and map and keep a close check on your vision. We only have one set of eyes.

[genie86333]

Glad you've set up the appointment, even though you didn't understand why. As you noticed, there's a whole forum related to eyes here because they are something that can definitely be affected by diabetes & sometimes rather quickly.

I was just diagnosed this January, but have already had to have laser surgery on both eyes. When my mom was a teen, she started suddenly going blind - later they realized she was diabetic, but that was the first & only symptom of the diabetes that she showed at that time.

[Ms.PacMan]

I have to admit, I'm a bit afraid.


Tomorrow is my eye appointment. It WILL be one where they dilate the eyes.


And I've never had my eyes dilated like that before.

:eek:


I bet I don't get any sleep tonight.

[Evermont]

All fear is bad. Stress can raise your BG too. :eek:

No need to fear, most likely it's just a standard precaution and everything is fine. The exam is pretty minor really.

Bring shades. :cool:

[xMenace]

I have to admit, I'm a bit afraid.


Tomorrow is my eye appointment. It WILL be one where they dilate the eyes.


And I've never had my eyes dilated like that before.

:eek:


I bet I don't get any sleep tonight.

I have one tomorrow too. It does help a bit to know others go through this. We all do.

[morrisma]

Bring sunglasses! You will need them to drive home. Better yet, have someone come with you to drive home.

I hate drops and I do very poorly with that bright light but it is necessary (I like to see) and it really is all over very quiickly. :)
Mike

[Jules49]

I see my retina specialist in early Jan. Right after Christmas. I see him ever six months. Have had the dye test the last two times for sure maybe the last three times. They have a hard time getting a vein in my hand. Has to be one side because I have had a mastectomy. no blood pressure checks, no shots, no finger pricks, nothing on that side. That dye goes in your body fast. I am yellow for 24 hours. Think you all know what I am talking about. I am almost 100 miles from my doctors so try to see two everytime I go. Will see my endo that morn. and the eye doctor that afternoon. I am just proud I can read after being dilated. Last time I was there three hours.

[Ms.PacMan]

Good news!


My vision is 20/20 and there is no sign of any eye problems at this time.


Thanks for helping to explain the need for the eye exam.

[poodlebone]

When I was released from the hospital after diagnosis my vision got really blurry and I thought I was going blind. Went to the eye doctor and he assured me that it was normal and my vision would return to normal, which it did. After that I would always get my eyes checked by the optometrist at the eyeglass place, and not every year. Only when I thought I needed new glasses (worn them since 3rd grade). A few years ago my PCP asked me when my last eye exam was and I told her. She insisted that I stop going to the optometrist and see an ophtalmologist instead. I made an appointment with the closest doctor to my job but I didn't really care for him. He didn't dilate my eyes, didn't really do much of anything. The following year I checked the insurance roster and picked someone else who I've been seeing ever since. After my first visit (which was fine) she said that I should go twice a year rather than once since diabetics are more at risk to develop problems.

I really like my eye doctor. She explains everything and takes her time. It's the one doctor appointment that I don't dread, even with the dilated pupils.

[enigmalady777]

I am scheduled for a retinal screening next week.

I have to confess; I had such a bad experience the first time that I had it done, that I refused to have it done again when the doctor recommended it. That was about 8 years ago.

I am going through with it this time, no matter what. I am fully prepared to be told that there is damage.

I've had bad vision since college, so blurred vision has never been an indicator of anything to me - I'm used to it and have worn glasses for severe nearsightedness for many years.

I'm hoping the damage that the doctor finds can at least be corrected......

[enigmalady777]

Well, I'll be darned!!!

I had my retinal screening this past week. It went well - fast, didn't have to retake the photos 8 times, because I blinked or the technician didn't catch a good enough shot, etc. Dilating my eyes was done simply by turning the lights out for a few minutes - none of the yukky drops in my eyes. All in all it was a big nothing of a procedure.

I was prepared for bad news. Instead, I get a letter today from my doctor that says I DO NOT have any signs of diabetic retinopathy! I was elated!!!

What with my recently elevated blood sugar levels, nueropathy in my feet, I was prepared for bad news.

I'm relieved to say the least!