33 Comments
Have you (or your loved one with T1D) been diagnosed with retinopathy?
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I haven’t, but I had a Type-1 cousin who I believe had received that diagnosis. I know she had laser surgery for eye problems about 35-40 years ago.
Diagnosed 1951. First laser treatment 1975. None in last 10 to 15 years. Still seeing, still driving. 💪
Back in the 1980’s, my ophthalmologist said I had retinopathy and a tear in my retina. He did laser therapy. Since then, I’ve had good annual check ups.
Same timing and same results. We were lucky.
No tear here but lasers in the 80s, blessed with 20/20 now.
My Opthamologist referred me to a Retinologist 10+ years ago. Multiple Laser treatments and a Vitrectomy have my vision at 20/20 both eyes. Of course having Distance Vision doesn’t help with Reading
very mild case, no treatment necessary………………..yet
I was just dx with very mild retinopathy. Does not affect my vision at this time.
I answered yes, even though I have not been diagnosed with DM Retinopathy, I have congenital eye issues. My brother has been, has had laser treatment and is stable now & STILL has better vision than I do.
Yes, in 1966.
Immediately volunteered for experiment with Ruby LASER and experienced very favorable results. Now with thousands of LASER burns done over a 50=+ year period, with at least 4 type LASERs, my vision is still pretty good – much better than the “you will be totally blind within 2 years” multiple doctors told me in ’66. My recently renewed driver’s license has an expiry date of July 4th 2028.
Diagnosed with very mild about a year ago. Had frequent follow ups and it has been fine ever since.
Same here, very mild that does not affect my eyesight!
I was diagnosed with retinopathy about 15 years ago. That was before I used a pump. I started using a pump in 2007. I had better control, and my retinopathy disappeared. I do not have that problem now.
Yes, in 1982, dx with retinopathy in both eyes, proliferative in left eye, slight in right eye. Next five years received 5 laser “treatments” in left eye. Have 20/200 vision in left eye. Right eye remains stable.
I know it is not a guarantee but my endocrinologist tells me I am never getting complications from diabetes. I exercise everyday. My routine includes walking, biking, and resistance training. I’m 74 and feel great. Sorry for those with complications.
63 years of t1 d and no retinopathy. I’m very, very lucky.
Yes, you are! : )
That’s me too. Luck. Pure, dumb luck.
Yes at 35 years it was non proliferative and then rapidly proliferative and 4 years later still dealing with this life changing constant worry of up and down vision days. My a1c has been under 6 for the last 8 years and between 7 and 8 prior years!
Yes and thanks to extensive laser based pan-photo coagulation it has been stable for decades. The trade off was losing my peripheral vision which has led to a few annoying trips and falls. I understand it is treated with shots now.
It depends on the patient, sometimes injections are given but laser is still a very common treatment!
Like you, I had laser treatments years ago (1990) and have minor peripheral vision loss. My condition is stable and I only need to see my eye guy once a year.
I had proliferative retinopathy with many laser treatments in 1977. That was 17 years after being diagnosed T1D
No but I have a wrinkled retina
Had a great GP who sent me to a retinologist when finding out I was pregnant (I had no retinopathy at that time). The Retinologist mapped my eyes as they were. After my delivery, I went back and received extremely precise laser treatment for retinopathy that developed during my pregnancy.
I had retinopathy in 2020 in my right eye after 58 years of TD1. It was a surprise – had background retinopathy for several years with no changes or concerns and was monitored every 6 months. Just suddenly had a bad bleed that affected vision. Was monitored for a month and it would go away but then happened again. Had to have injections but bleeds did not stop happening. Had vitrectomy surgery and laser at the same time and no problems since. I am monitored every 6 months. It was sad for me to have this happen after 58 years.
Very mild one year, and no evidence of it the next. I have had a A1c of 6.5 or less for the last 11 years so I am not concerned.
I was diagnosed with macular edema first and some nonaggression was found when they did the eye photos. 15 ish years in which my pathologist at the time said was about “on schedule”..
No retinopathy… But AMD both eyes last 2 years…No treatment available… Unable to wright… bareley able to read only large type… use the talking guy hideing in my computer to read for me… Almost 91 years OLD…. 70 years T1D…
More than 30 years ago.
I’ve received laser treatment probably a hundred or more times since then to ‘keep on top of it’. (I’ve also had the lenses removed from both of my eyes, with plastic lenses inserted, due to severe cataracts that developed in both of my eyes.)
I forgot to add that I’ve also developed Macula degeneration over recent years …. around about the last 10 years.
My spouse was diagnosed with retinopathy and treated with Lazer surgery in both eyes. I have been diagnosed with minor (level 1 if I remember correctly) retinopathy with no treatment required.