diabetic retinopathy?
Posted in Types on 21. Jul, 2010
Question by 1 Hott Mami: diabetic retinopathy?
I think that is how you spell it. My boyfriend has it. we have been together for a long time. he already lost one eye due to a surgical slipup, it is irreversable. he got the condition due to undiagnosed juvenile diabeties. now his other eye is losing vision. all we can do is control his diabeties the best we can and he occasionally get lasik to burn back some of the bleeding capillaries. but honestly, not so i can worry but so i can prepare… how long does he have?
we started dating long after he was diagnosed and lost his eye. I want to be with him. i’m not afraid of it. we have been together for a long time. he is 32. I am much younger. I just want an answer, not advice to leave him cuz it would be too hard.
Best answer:
Answer by Matthew W
What’s his age? You probably have a long time to be with him. Did you start dating this guy when he was diagnosed with diabetes? If you did, I’m sorry because he’s putting you through a lot. Why don’t you move on and find yourself a healthy male so that one day you can have children of your own. This is the truth.
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This is a hard question to answer without having a Doctor’s input. How long does he have to live? Or how long he has to see? Both questions are dependant on several factors, and that is something that only your specific doctor that knows his History can tell you. I am glad you understand his abilities and limits and that you are a person to stand by your mate though thick and thin. See if he will give you legal permission to talk to his physicians….he would have to sign a release to them so they know, or make sure you have a medical power of attourney in place so that you can make decisions for him as well in a medical emergency. Without being married you can not really get as involved as you could if you were. Privacy Practices are tough to get around, but it can be done. Good luck and stay happy! Controling jeuvenille Diabetes is not easy or fun, I am glad he has your stupport.
Diabetic retinopathy is treated in many ways depending on the stage of the disease and the specific problem that requires attention. The retinal surgeon relies on several tests to monitor the progression of the disease and to make decisions for the appropriate treatment. These include: fluorescein angiography, retinal photography, and ultrasound imaging of the eye.
The abnormal growth of tiny blood vessels and the associated complication of bleeding is one of the most common problems treated by vitreo-retinal surgeons. Laser surgery called pan retinal photocoagulation (PRP) is usually the treatment of choice for this problem.
With PRP, the surgeon uses laser to destroy oxygen-deprived retinal tissue outside of the patient’s central vision. While this creates blind spots in the peripheral vision, PRP prevents the continued growth of the fragile vessels and seals the leaking ones. The goal of the treatment is to arrest the progression of the disease.
Vitrectomy is another surgery commonly needed for diabetic patients who suffer a vitreous hemorrhage (bleeding in the gel-like substance that fills the center of the eye). During a vitrectomy, the retina surgeon carefully removes blood and vitreous from the eye, and replaces it with clear salt solution (saline). At the same time, the surgeon may also gently cut strands of vitreous attached to the retina that create traction and could lead to retinal detachment or tears.
Patients with diabetes are at greater risk of developing retinal tears and detachment. Tears are often sealed with laser surgery. Retinal detachment requires surgical treatment to reattach the retina to the back of the eye. The prognosis for visual recovery is dependent on the severity of the detachment.
Researchers have found that diabetic patients who are able to maintain appropriate blood sugar levels have fewer eye problems than those with poor control. Diet and exercise play important roles in the overall health of those with diabetes.
Diabetics can also greatly reduce the possibilities of eye complications by scheduling routine examinations with an ophthalmologist. Many problems can be treated with much greater success when caught early.