Hi, I was really hoping someone could help me with some info or advice about macula edema.....I am type 2 diabetic and 22 weeks pregnant...About 8 weeks ago my vision started going blurry , I went and saw a specialist and he diagnosed me with macula edema.....Unfortunately due to the pregnancy he cant offer the treatment he normally would and I am wondering if permanant damage can be done...He told me without treatment it could take up to 6 months for my vision to improve http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif It seems to be worse in the morning and improve later in the day....Also recently I was given some information about ASPARTAM ! Since being pregnant and put onto insulin I started using equal , which at the time no one told me I should be using whilst pregnant, anyway I done some investigating on the internet and have found numerous sites about people having their vision impaired or even going blind from using aspartam....Most of the people did notice a significant improvement in their site after ceasing using equal or products with aspartam in it...I stopped using equal nearly 2 weeks ago and while not improving a great deal, my vision has improved ! But 2 days ago i noticed a little line kind of thing in my left eye...i wouldnt call it a black spot, but more like a little line, its really hard to describe....SORRY if i am going on a bit, but this whole thing is so frustrating....I have also read up that pregnancy can cause a decline in vision for diabetics, but once the baby is born it has improved....BASICALLY I am wondering if anyone has had anything like this happen to them and what the outcome was....I would be grateful for any info or advice that anyone could give me about any of the things i have posted eg macula edema, aspartam or pregnancy and eyesight THANKS http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

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EDD 18/10/2003
ITS A GIRL :)

what kind of treatment would your doctor normally use for cme? kenelog injections are used for ocular inflammatory disease even during pregnancy. untreated inflammation can cause irreversible damage to your eyes...might consider a second opinion from a good opthalmologist. best of luck http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hi, thankyou so much for replying, i didnt think anyone was going to LOL Supposedly the opthamoligist i saw was one of the best, he mentioned they normally try eye drops or the injections you mentioned, but claimed they cant do this as I am pregnant, he also said something about laser treatment and just monitoring my eyesight and if it got worse could consider laser....I am seeing another opthamologist at the public hospital on Monday so hopefully I will get a better idea of things, the other doctor really didnt explain anything to me, I was actually quite disgusted with my treatment when I saw him....When you say irreversible damage, what exactly do you mean ?

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EDD 18/10/2003
ITS A GIRL :)

Hi again, I am trying to find some info about ocular inflammatory disease without much luck...Also is ocular inflammatory disease the same as macular edema ?

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EDD 18/10/2003
ITS A GIRL :)

ocular inflammatory disease is just general as there are many different types of diseases that affect the eye. a google search should provide a start for you to locate info on cystoid/non-cystoid macular edema, diabetic retinopathy as well as others. might try looking for info at NEI, NIH, and harvard to name a few.

drops usually will not reach the middle or back of the eye and inflammation in those areas require kenalog injection or in some cases oral steriod or IV infusions depending on the type. macular edema CAN, doesn't always, damage that part of the retina and is not correctible with lenses. of course we are all individually unique and the degree of inflammation will vary among us so nothing is set in stone. there is also the possibility that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications might help, if that is something you can take during pregnancy(otc tylenol or rx vioxx).

my opinion would be to educate yourself on your condition as it will lead you to locating a doctor that will treat you correctly and aggressively to save your vision as diabetic retinopathy is a life long condition that can have many ups and downs. wishing you the best of luck for healthy eyes http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif