slight abnormality on my retinal screen

Lizzie G · #1 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 07:19 AM

Hi

I went for my retinal screening yesterday for the second time. I have good control and so was really surprised and alarmed to learn that the lady saw a minor 'occlusion' (not sure if i got the word right), basically a tiny blood vessel that is enlarged or blocked or something. she said that these things come and go and if i had been ill recently and running slightly higher than normal this could be the reason. She said that i shouldnt be worried that it wont affect my vision, but i am worried, im really worried. has anyone else had anything like this? am i being a big baby for nothing? i guess when i see that i wonder how the rest of my vascular system is getting on and whether bad things are happening in my heart and so on....

Sorry to be a drama queen

SharpTail · #2 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 08:03 AM

I had a similar result from my examination at the opthamologist last week. I have had an annual examination for evidence of retinopathy for many years. The doctors have always commented that I am lucky that I have been free of diabetes related eye problems for 27 years. However, the examination this year showed one location where a blood vessel had ruptured. He assured me that this was a very minor level and that laser treatment would not be considered until the problem was much more proliferative.

The interesting thing he said was that good control of blood sugar would minimize retinopathy, but that even with the good control most individuals with diabetes will eventually develop at least minor retinopathy.
Pat

notme · #3 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 08:15 AM

I was told at my last visit that I have "background" retinopathy. Because of the location (close to my macula) I am seeing a retinal specialist. The appointment was a month and a half ago and they are going to watch it for now. I have an appointment again in January. I will always hold my breath when I go.

I was told that it is to be expected when you have diabetes over 20 years. I am at about 21 years now. Hang in there. Hopefully, yours will just go away.

Lizzie G · #4 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 08:48 AM

thanks for your replies. I've only had diabetes about 1.5 years and after diagnosis my HbA1C has remained around 6. this last time it was slightly higher at 6.6 though so maybe I ought to work on it a bit (admittedly I have been a lot slacker than normal!) She said nothing to worry about and I would have another scan in a year but I think I might try to bring my HbA1C down to under 6 then try and get an appointment in 6 months, just to be sure. If things are starting this soon I think I need to be extra vigilant...

lugnut48 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 08:58 AM

Drama queen? Pfft - at least your concerns are legitimate!!

Hang in there! I'm sure you'll get through this just fine! And if not well, when you're given lemons - just make some lemonade!

Dimes · #6 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lizzie G

thanks for your replies. I've only had diabetes about 1.5 years and after diagnosis my HbA1C has remained around 6. this last time it was slightly higher at 6.6 though so maybe I ought to work on it a bit (admittedly I have been a lot slacker than normal!) She said nothing to worry about and I would have another scan in a year but I think I might try to bring my HbA1C down to under 6 then try and get an appointment in 6 months, just to be sure. If things are starting this soon I think I need to be extra vigilant...

6.6 is pretty respectable.. You're doing a good job.

LancetChick · #7 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lizzie G

thanks for your replies. I've only had diabetes about 1.5 years and after diagnosis my HbA1C has remained around 6. this last time it was slightly higher at 6.6 though so maybe I ought to work on it a bit (admittedly I have been a lot slacker than normal!) She said nothing to worry about and I would have another scan in a year but I think I might try to bring my HbA1C down to under 6 then try and get an appointment in 6 months, just to be sure. If things are starting this soon I think I need to be extra vigilant...

I had retinopathy with a recurring blind spot, blurry vision and constant floaters with A1c's in the low 6's. It wasn't until I stabilized my BG's and got my A1c's down to the low 5's (and lower) that my eye problems went away (along with other diabetic complications). A1c's in the 6's are fine for some people, but certainly not all of us, alas! Glucose sensitivities do vary.

Lizzie G · #8 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LancetChick

I had retinopathy with a recurring blind spot, blurry vision and constant floaters with A1c's in the low 6's. It wasn't until I stabilized my BG's and got my A1c's down to the low 5's (and lower) that my eye problems went away (along with other diabetic complications). A1c's in the 6's are fine for some people, but certainly not all of us, alas! Glucose sensitivities do vary.

Hi there, thanks for this, these are things i need to hear - i dont mean as a scare thing or anything its just good to know the reality of the situation rather than being told by a doctor not to worry when in fact maybe you should; its definitely a good motivation for me to work a bit harder on my numbers and push for that pump.....

Jan B · #9 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 01:45 PM

Lizzie,

I wish you the VERY best. Almost 10 years ago, I had the early signs of retinopathy. I believe after that news I took a little better care of myself. I don't think my A1C was under 7 then. As time went on, those early signs almost disappeared. About 4 months ago, I was sent to a retinal specialist, and after looking at my eyes, he asked why my opthamologist sent me. He thought my eyes looked great.

During the time I was a little worried, I just kept telling myself that catching it early is important, and the surgeries available (laser specifically) are successful.

xMenace · #10 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 03:03 PM

Ya. Five total and four in the last year or so. Two weren't lasered. Been clean since early summer.

DanG · #11 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lugnut48

Drama queen? Pfft - at least your concerns are legitimate!!

Hang in there! I'm sure you'll get through this just fine! And if not well, when you're given lemons - just make some lemonade!

I gotta love your response, lugnut - thanks.
While we each get worried about something - mind you, there is something for each of us to become unraveled about - if we play it cool, we're probably much better off than getting unraveled. The doctor was not joking when they told you to let loose and not worry about it.

The last time I went to the eye doctor 6 years ago, he said he couldn't do new glasses for me as one eye he couldn't even see into - cataract. I checked into that surgery, and a friend went thru some horrendous eye surgeries - all of which he seriously linked to cataract surgery several years previous. That was the wake-up call for me. I can live with some limited vision, rather than none at all. I do the homeopathic cataract eye drops and try to keep A1c under 10

- actually I am probably closer to 6 - maybe I should go see the doctor again in a couple years.
What? - Me worry?

Lizzie G · #12 (**permalink**) 12-12-2008, 12:03 AM

thanks for all your posts guys, really helpful...im thinking my approach is going to be 'do my very best and dont worry'....all we can do really,right?