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I am male, 68, on Glipizide, with A1C readings about 7.1/7.2. I just had retinal photos which showed no retinopathy, but the letter recommended the next photos in two years. I would feel more comfortable on a once-a-year schedule for these. A lot can happen in two years. Heck, a lot can happen in one year! Any thoughts?
Yes, I know. (My OP was poorly drafted). I should have asked for information about how often to get one's eyes checked for diabetic retinopathy if one is diabetic, regardless of the method used for the screening. My understanding is that there are two ways of screening:
1. The retinal photos, which can be done by a nurse and which require only a mild pupil dilation.
2. A look at the entire retina by an O.D., which requires a greater dilation necessitating a wait of an hour or so before driving home. This look at the entire retina (requiring the dilation) is not part of a standard eye exam.
Yes, I know. (My OP was poorly drafted). I should have asked for information about how often to get one's eyes checked for diabetic retinopathy if one is diabetic, regardless of the method used for the screening. My understanding is that there are two ways of screening:
1. The retinal photos, which can be done by a nurse and which require only a mild pupil dilation. 2. A look at the entire retina by an O.D., which requires a greater dilation necessitating a wait of an hour or so before driving home. This look at the entire retina (requiring the dilation) is not part of a standard eye exam.
My doctor does the thing in bold yearly, and always has. I've never had a photo taken. Since I've gotten diabetes my only change has been to make sure he faxes his results over to my doctor, since he's not in network.
If you have vision insurance, check with them if any is covered. My vision plan, has a Diabetic supplement plan. This allows photos twice a year, along with a diabetic eye exam. This is in addition to my normal benefits.
Working as a sx coordinator for a regular Opthamology practice I have seen a lot of DM patients walk through the door..
Usually the standard check is no dilation with a glaucoma screening to check IOP ( Inter-ocular pressure) if it is higher than the standard scale of 5-20 then the specialist checks the back of the eye with mild dilation..
Now working as a surgical technician for a Retina specialty practice I cannot tell you how important it is to detect any issues...before they occur..
NPDR OR PDR is no joke..Neither is what leads up to by avoiding annual checks, ( Macular holes, detached retina massive swelling) which leads to the following
1. Decreased vision acuity. By this I mean the common blurriness to the loss of major central vision left only with the peripheral vision.
You will not go completely blind but you can be left with little to no vision ( light perception) and mass distortion.
All of these seriously diminish the quality of life.
I believe the "photo's" you are referring to are OCT'S .
I complete this diagnostic test and while it may be a pain to be dilated ( I do not like being dilated either) this is needed in order for me to get to the back of your eye.
While I perform this test? I am taking photos of your macula, your optic nerve and fundus to detect any changes from your last visit. This allows our Doctors to detect any swelling, detachment, debris of blood clots in the back of your eye which is common with these issues.
If you do not want to stay dilated because you have no ride? or stay dilated for a long duration of time? I suggest asking for "Reversal" drops or Pilocarpine.
Another test used to detect and blood leaks and blood pooling back in the retina? We do a "FA" THIS IS also needed in order for the Doctor to see what is going on.
I have seen many DM patients that have come through or doors that have never been checked by a retina specialist let a regular OD..And it is not until they develop issues with their vision that they go to an OD and then are referred to a specialist.
If your OD stated 2 years? Then I would not be too worried however there is a way to tell if there is something going on in the back of your eyes..
1. Any changes in your Vision at all..blurriness, cannot read the paper or see the PC where as 2 months ago you had no issues...
There may be other culprits at play like cataracts but a trip to your OD will detect this.
2. Floaters..while common after cataract surgery floaters are not the norm..Floaters are described as mild to severe.
( Little gnat black dots running across your eyes and you think it is a bug or something)
( Bigger floaters running across your vision)
Some even report them to be shaped liked lima beans.
3. A grey veil..Falling down your periphery and staying there and not moving
4. Flashes. These can be best described as flashes of light when you close your eyes, a bright light around the rim of your eye while it is closed, fire works.
5. Distortion. This is a biggie, looking at your blinds and they seem to break apart or fall away.
Reading the paper and the words seem to fall away..reading a word like "FLASH" AND THE FL has dropped down past the other words. TV..people seemed distorted, big heads or dark shadows
6. Double vision..
I would hope everyone with DM get their eyes checked regularly before issues like this arise..
Their is a treatment however the treatment? Consists of..
1. Injections in to the eye
2. or surgery
And these treatments do not mean they will restore your vision they will merely preserve the vision you have left...
Hope this info helps
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