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How many times in 2021 did you get a dilated eye exam (involving eye drops)?
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Even optometrists can dilate eyes to check for retinopathy. Better control resulted in zero retinopathy for me though it never was much of a problem. You can reverse minor retinopathy.
This very straightforward numerical question is actually difficult for me. Even though I see a high-priced specialist twice a year and he attempts to dilate both eyes, only one eye cooperates fully. So how do I count the dilated eyes? Divide by ½?
The left eye has had so many laser treatments, that the elasticity of the pupil cells (cones, I think) is diminished, if not kaput. However, do not under any circumstances let that deter you from having laser treatments if recommended. The handful of floaters will eventually, if you live long enough, diminish your eyesight.
I have had 4 total eye exams 3 dilated exams in ’21. He took pictures and checks for retinopathy. And measures pressure for glaucoma each time. I hate the eyedrops but want to continue seeing.
I skipped the eye exam because I weighed the good eye exams of many previous years vs close up prolonged maskless contact. There are some eye tests one can do virtually— maybe I’ll try that… no sense in going now with the recent flare-up.
Marina: Why maskless? At my ophthalmologist, all staff and patients are masked all the time — no maskless time at all. You do not want to skip eye exams if you have been diabetic for any substantial length of time.
I had one examination but didn’t need the drops.
2x. Once was my regular yearly dilated retina exam and the other was part of the cataract surgery process.
I had three this past year all related to a PVD in my right eye. All is good.
In posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), the gel that fills the eyeball separates from the retina. It’s a common condition with age. PVD can cause floaters or flashes of light, which often fade over time. PVD isn’t painful or sight-threatening. But you should see an eye specialist right away to make sure you don’t have another retina problem.(https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14413-posterior-vitreous-detachment)
had an appointment for my annual exam with my ophthalmologist. guess he’s older than I thought, he fell and hurt his back so badly that he needed surgery so all appointments were canceled.
Having cataract surgery today. Also had retina exam in other eye. Not a fan. But necessary evil.
Instead of using drops and wasting time for them to dilate the eyes, my ophthalmologist takes photographs of the eye. This makes for a quicker exam time and easier drive home, as my vision is not impaired from the dilation.
Had my annual eye exam in October after missing last year’s. No change to my eyes, or my eyeglass prescription. 34 years with Type 1 and no issues.
My normal annual Diabetic Eye Exams include dilation with the eye drops, but in 2021, every place around here offering the annual Diabetic Eye Exams said that they were unable to dilate the eyes for the exam due to COVID restrictions.
I lost vision in my left eye in 1993 due to a central retinal vein occlusion. So since that time my right eye is very precious to me and I get it checked every quarter. Sometimes they dilate, sometimes they take pictures. So far, so good!
Once in February with the retina specialist I’ve had an annual appointment with for over a decade. I was diagnosed with proliferative diabetic retinopathy in my left eye in 1982 .
One. So far, no diabetic eye disease. Thank you Jesus. My mother is legally blind from diabetic retinopathy and MACTEL1.
Due to having Diabetic macular edema, I have an exam, on average, once a month with eye dilation, and usually an injection in the eye having the worst of the problem…. Never seems to make much, if any, difference. (Not fun!!!)
Yikes!! I get checked twice a year… and your question prompted me to realize I have not been since late 2020. Called and made the appointment immediately.
I have had a yearly eye exam since I was a child. just because my parents stressed how important they are, even if you have no need for glasses (which I do now!). Once I was diagnosed with diabetes 24 years ago, the doctor automatically added the dilation yearly. So far, all is clear! Yea, and Thank you God!
I opted for an Optomap photo instead. Had them done 2 times this year, as well as the past few years.
Since my Retinopathy diagnosis in 1966 [began LASER treatments in 1967], I have had at least two dilated exams yearly. now in my later years after so many thousand LASER burns there isn’t any room left for LASER si we now do Avastin injections with dilation three times a year with “routine” dilated exams in-between, so at least one eye dilated for exam six times yearly.
Although I was told in 1966 to expect total blindness within two years, I see well thanks to the awesome research and experimentation at Joslin, and earlier this year was issued a new motor vehicle operator license good until July 4, 2028.
In 1994, I was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy. I was treated and have not had any further issues other than a 66 year history of diabetes!!
Fortunately, I don’t have diabetic retinopathy. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with Age-Related Macular Degeneration just over two years ago. It’s the wet kind so it’s treatable. But that means I have to see a Retinologist every 2 months or so and have injections in both eyes to keep the disease at bay. ☹️
3 times. I’m blind in my left eye (from birth …. NOT T1D related) and am rapidly developing cataracts in my good eye. The doc is closely monitoring the changes in my vision.