Hi there. I've been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for the past three years but apparently the state of my eyesight suggests that I've had the condition for more than fifteen years. I've diabetic retinopathy which has caused alot of loss of sight along with a loss of depth perspective, such as not knowing if there a step or just a change in colour on the pavement. I've been having laser treatment for this for over a year now and in the last couple of months, it seems to have stabilised at last. I'm very worried about it though as I am only borderline for driving now and i'm very aware that when my licence goes, it is gone for good.

How have other diabetics coped with the gradual loss of vision? What treatments have been available to you? I have read about an operation called a vitrectomy which can help apparently, has anyone encountered this?

I would appreciate any input you may have on this subject.

Thank you.

I've had retinopathy for many years but was never close to losing my license. I can tell you about a vitrectomy though. It is used for a couple of purposes. Sometimes the vitreous (jelly inside the eye) fills with blood that won't clear. When that is the case, the vitreous is removed to allow clear vision. It is also performed if the vitreous begins to retract and is attached to part of the retina. There is then the danger of a detachment, so they do the surgery.

Keep in mind that while you are undergoing laser treatment for your retinopathy you will have blurry vision. The heat from the laser makes the retina swell which makes it harder to see.

I hope this helps.

Good luck to you.

Cora

My mom also had laser treatment for retinophapy (sp?) She had three laser surgeries on her right eye and two on her left eye. From what i understand blood vessels are growing inside the eye. Her vision is 20/60 left eye and 20/70 right eye. She has a license but doesn't drive, however, the opthamologist did ask her about her driving.

I know she was told not to take asprin therapy anymore bcuz it causes bleeding. I have never heard of the other surgery you mentioned. Her dr. said there wasn't anything else he could do, but i guess that's a lie. I am going to research this further. Thanx for the info.

Hi again. Thank you so much for helping. The problem I've encountered here in the UK is that we have the NHS system of healthcare and you don't get to pick and choose your doctor. We are referred to a specialist and they are so overworked that we just get a few minutes allocated to our apointment and thats it, time up, next please. Because of this its difficult to get facts from the doctors, even if you ask direct questions, because of the lack of time, they can't be drawn into detail. So you leave somewhat frustrated. I did a little bit of reading on the internet and came across the vitrectomy but didn't fully understand everything. As they say a little bit of knowledge is a bad thing at times as I was beginning to pin my hopes on a vitrectomy being the miracle cure for my sightloss. However, from what you say, I don't think I'd be a good candidate for it. I've broached the subject with my specialist before but he just said they wouldn't even consider it on the NHS unless I was completely blind first. I have been in touch with a private eye surgeon in London who did say that privately he could do the vitrectomy on patients who still had sght but with the assessments, operation and after care, it would amount to many thousands of pounds which I simply don't have available to me.

I'm due to see my specialist again in a weeks time, I'm doing my usual sweating routine as I'm worried sick that my eyes have deteriorated more since last time and he will tell me to stop driving. But fingers crossed.....

Once again, thank you for your help.