Eye Problem

[BuckMR2]

Stumbled on this on the BBC website... never heard of it before. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8775849.stm

Guess I'll have to train our dog up!

Ive never heard of that either, looks like a very good idea!

[Tym]

It's easy to smell when someone's high (Pear Drops!) but I never knew you (or a dog) could smell when it's low...

[Musket]

Buck, I read your account of how laser surgery feels to patients.

I was involved for a while regulating private eye laser establishments and have had many people explain how it feels, but yours seems to have the ease of understanding that is missing in some of the other testimonials I have heard or read. Excellent description.

I am one of many people who are considering corrective eye surgery, which is not quite the same as blood vessel surgery I know, but the invasive procedure is similar. Your description does not put me off but it is not as rosy as some of the smiling celebrities who "never looked back." (!)

Regarding availability of diabetic retinopathy depending where you live... I would be surprised if there was a difference in availability, but I am aware of different approaches. Where I used to live, the consultant teams did clinics in the local health centres, and this was considered by us to be a good system. However, just over the border, the local acute trust built a diabetic centre and all patients went there. Both systems were seen to be preferable, listening to patients and staff of both! A bit difficult when my staff were those charged with commissioning the best they can.

To hopefully put Tym's mind at rest, (although some areas are better than others I am sure...) the government set out a national service framework for diabetes a few years ago. Sounds like gobbledygook and management documents at face value, but in reality, those conditions that have a national service framework are those which take precedence, so a form of service to a very prescribed standard is delivered. People with a diabetic condition can t least rest assured that it is a priority condition. Not because of the severity but because regular low cost intervention can help make it something you live with rather than suffer from.

The views of those affected are always something I and others can take forward when we assess the effectiveness of care, as I do these days for a government body, so following this thread with a bit of interest.

[BuckMR2]

Just had a letter from the Eye Infirmary.
Round 2 of the laser treatment is next Thursday.
Hopefully they are expecting it to be the last treatment needed for now.
Sight seems to be fine, although some peripheral vision can be lost after each episode of treatment, hence the need for all diabetics who have had laser to both eyes to have a peripheral vision test every time their driving licence is renewed (mine is every 3 yrs which is the max for insulin dependant diabetics).
Apparently any loss of peripheral vision is so gradual it usually goes unnoticed by individuals.

[PCVrach]

Does the diabetes and vision problems go hand-in-hand? Mrs V is diagnosed as being at risk of developing and she does have vision problems is why I ask.

[Tym]

Does the diabetes and vision problems go hand-in-hand? Mrs V is diagnosed as being at risk of developing and she does have vision problems is why I ask.

have a look at this http://diabetes.webmd.com/eye-problems

There are lots of web sites about the connection.

In the end, it all depends on how well the diabetes is controlled, how long you have been diabetic, and which type you are. Buck and I have what used to be called Juvenile Diabetes, but is now referred to as Type 1. This is where the body stops producing it's own insulin, and we rely on injections (up to 4 time a day unless you're on an infusion pump) to supply the necessary insulin to turn the body's blood sugar into usable energy. There's more than one type of insulin as well. I've been on three different insulins (Humalog, Glargine, and Humalin-S just in case you were wondering!! ) at the same time at one point.

Maturity Onset Diabetes, or Type 2, is your body's intolerance of the insulin you produce. This is treated with tablets, diet or both.

To add to the eyes, there's also an increasing danger of amputation of the feet etc, due to circulatory problems which kill the nerve endings. This is called Diabetic Neuropathy.

Oh happy days... and on my Birthday too!! Cheers!!

[BuckMR2]

Does the diabetes and vision problems go hand-in-hand? Mrs V is diagnosed as being at risk of developing and she does have vision problems is why I ask.

Happy birthday Tym

PCVrach
Page 2 of the above link describes the condition Im talking about amongst other complications that can arise.
Its a long term complication for people who have had insulin dependant diabetes for a good number of years.
Tight blood sugar control is paramount in minimising it, as are regular checks.
Ive been a diabetic on insulin for nearly 40 years.
My blood sugar average is within target range between my 6 monthly checks with the diabetologist
My Blood Pressure is normal
I think its because my control has been generally good that the complications have been kept at bay for so long, although control could always be better.

[PCVrach]

Happy Birthday Tym!

There, just got there in time

Nice Avatar BTW, like it!

Edited as Vrachy needs to learn to type

[PCVrach]

They haven't said she has it, just that she is at high risk of getting it

What sort of control are we talking, diet?

[BuckMR2]

Bear in mind Im not medically qualified
In my case its insulin and diet, in your wifes case generally speaking it would be likely be diet to avoid/delay the onset.
I think usually if diabetes develops many new diabetics are treated with tablets (Type 2) and may at a later stage may need to go onto insulin (Type 1).
Many elderly diabetics are diet or tablet only for years and some never progress to Type 1.

[PCVrach]

Thanks Buck. I am crossing my fingers for her!

[miniladyuk]

A low carbohydrate diet is thought by some to slow down/reduce the risk of developing NIDDM as it stabilises blood sugar ( and therefore insulin levels) better than a high carb diet.
Maybe worth looking into?
M
x

[BuckMR2]

Average blood sugar is within the target range of 4 - 8 which is probably why I have lasted so long befoe having to have laser so retinal problem probably more to do with time (nearly 40 years of being on insulin).

Went on Thurs for latest lasering.
I am finding it impossible due to the intensity of the light and both pupils dilated with drops to keep them open while the laser if being used.
My left eye is being lasered and held open with a cylindrical monocular type device placed on the eyeball but the right eye waters and starts to close dur to the intensity of the light ,then am being told to open it and conciously trying to open it without moving the left eye at all which I cant do.
As a result I am having to have a 3rd session where the give an anaesthetic injection into the eye(lid?).
My vision is slightly blurry in the lasered eye and still feels like I have been punched in the eyeball 2 days later, hoping the blurriness goes within forthcoming days.

[PCVrach]

Thanks miniladyuk will look into it!

Buck that sounds positively tortureous

[Tym]

Jeez Buck - your control seems perfect!! What;s your HbA1C like?

I've been diabetic for (only) 20 years, and must admit my control is pretty poor of late, due to general stresses etc... I'm over the moon if I can keep it under 10!

I'd consider 4 a little low though... I'd be wobbling by then. I'd aim between 6 and 10 to be happy.

Bearing in mind "normal!" folk are between 4.5 and 6.5 your range is pretty damned amazing!

Thought you might like this... http://www.coolestgizmo.com/auto-gadgets/medtronic-diabetics-upcoming-watchdog/

Wonder if Jag might add it to the options list!

[edit] I just noticed the advert at the bottom of that page: https://www.bayerdiabetes.co.uk/shop/shop-detail.aspx?PID=14