Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Care

Question by Jennifer: What could cause this weird spot on my vision?
Since last September (not this year, I mean last year) I noticed a strange dark spot in the middle of my field of vision of my right eye. It’s not pitch black, but it is a little shadowy. Kind of just like a little blog in the middle of my vision. Annoying as it was (I mostly notice it whenever I’m trying to read something, since it keeps moving along with wherever I’m focusing my vision), I never thought too horribly much of it since it wasn’t causing me any pain or anything, and I’m not currently covered by insurance…so unless it were some severe life threatening thing, chances are I wasn’t going to be able to justify having it looked at.

Fast forward about a year. It’s still there…the dark patch hasn’t really changed in shape or size or anything. So that’s probably good that it hasn’t taken over my vision or anything. But, there’s these weird squiggly lines coming out of it in either direction. They, however, aren’t dark like the spot. They look like what I can only describe as if a bunch of floaters (I’ve had those since childhood) somehow joined together to create a squiggly line. But the weirder part is that these lines sort of change shape over the course of the day. Sometimes it’ll be an almost straight line, other times it’ll look like a squiggly, zig-zaggy line, and other times it looks like it’s trying to loop around the dark spot. It’s been like that much of the time I’ve had the dark spot, but those lines have definitely become larger with time. They don’t change fast enough for me to sit there and watch them morphing or anything, but say I’m typing and then look up at a light colored wall and see how it looks, then look back down at my typing for a few minutes, then back at the wall. It will have changed at least a little bit in that time.

I know that I *should* have this checked out, and whenever I have the resources to be able to do so, I will. But in the meantime, just some thoughts on different possibilities of what this might be? The spot itself doesn’t cause any pain or anything, although I know that eye is more sensitive to light than the other. (My eyes have always been light-sensitive though, so whether or not that’s changed or if it was already just more sensitive than the other, I’m not too sure.) Only other even possible symptom I can think of is some on again/off again mild headaches I’ve had on that same side of my head for a couple weeks. Not horribly painful (not even bad enough to need to take a painkiller), just enough to be annoying. I thought they might be tension headaches, but the “band-like” description doesn’t fit here, and I can’t think of too many other things that might be causing those, so perhaps they’re related. Maybe they’re not, but just in case it’s a critical piece of info, I thought I’d include it. But, of course, being the hypochondriac I am, I’ve had to wonder if maybe this whole thing is a brain tumor, or an aneurysm waiting to burst or something. I know it could also be something like retinal detachment (which would be bad for how much time has passed, I’m sure), and even though I tested negative for diabetes last time I got checked, the disease does run in my family, so I had to wonder about diabetic retinopathy too. Any other thoughts on what it sounds like it could most likely be based on this description, or anything I haven’t even thought of? More importantly….this isn’t fatal, is it? I would REALLY suck to lose my vision in that eye (but I’m hoping to get this checked before it gets *that* far) but I’m really scared about whether this thing could potentially kill me.

I should also probably mention that I’m a 24 year old female in otherwise fairly good health.

Best answer:

Answer by UmbrellaGirl
It sounds like you have what is called a Scotoma if it isn’t floating around like floaters would. Here is the Wikipedia article on them. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotoma

Save up what you can and see a doctor about it soon. It could very well be from your headaches and when they go away, this may fade as well. There is a possibility it could be something serious, so if it doesn’t go away, you should be checked out.

Add your own answer in the comments!

Question by D J: Odd visual issue – pixellated vision?
Starting about 6 months ago, I’ve occasionally experienced an odd visual issue that I can’t seem to figure out. It’s happened maybe 4 times in this 6 month period, and each time it’s only lasted a few minutes.

My vision will pixellate. I suppose it could be described as fuzzy, but everything is still in focus – it just looks like everything is made of very very small pixels. If you’re familiar with printing, it’s like the world is a halftone, with a very very fine screening used.

It’s usually just one eye at a time, and it’s happened to both. It’s not constant as I said – lasts a few minutes.

I have an appointment to see my eye doc in a few days but I’ve been trying to figure out what it could be. I am diabetic, so diabetic retinopathy always pops up when I try to google, but this symptom isn’t in there.

I’m also very nearsighted, which my doc has always reminded me that I am a high risk for retinal detachment, but he always mentions the same symptoms you’d find online – lots of sudden floaters or a dark area in your vision field.

This isn’t any obscuring – it’s simply a change in my vision. I’ve joked that I work on a computer so much that my eyes are converting to digital..
Well, saw the opthalmologist today. Eyes are 100% healthy as far as he’s concerned – no sign of diabetes in them.

Regarding the pixel vision, he “thinks” it’s a migraine without the headache.. but he’s referred me to a neurologist to get a 2nd opinion.

Best answer:

Answer by aleuf05
I had that effect once from taking shrooms, but I guess if that were the case you would have mentioned it.

What do you think? Answer below!

Question by mexitalican: I am looking for a digital camera for my mother who is having vision issues…?
She is not blind but she has diabetic retinopathy and it is difficult for her to see small objects. Does anyone know of a digital camera with a large screen and few buttons? Larger buttons would be ideal.

We (her daughters) always take the pictures for her, but my sisters are leaving for college soon and I’m no longer in the house so we want to get her one for mothers day.

If you have any ideas of some that would work, please throw out any ideas! We are open to suggestions.

Thanks so much!

Best answer:

Answer by KNDChicago
Fujifilm FinePix Z700EXR

http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/z/finepix_z700exr/product_views/index.html

http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-Z700EXR-3-5-Inch-Touch-Screen-Red/dp/B0035JEL6C

What do you think? Answer below!

Question by codyg1985: Is it normal for vision to be blurred a day after laser photocoagulation?
I am a diabetic, and two days ago I had laser photocoagulation performed on my left eye in order to prevent damage from diabetic retinopathy. The procedure seals off abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye and prevents vision loss. I am wondering if it is normal for vision to be blurred in the eye that the procedure was performed in after the surgery. If so, how long will it take to go away? Should I contact the doctor that performed the procedure now or wait for a few days to see if it clears up?

Best answer:

Answer by Gary B
I had the same problem.

it should go away in a 2-3 days, total.

if not, call your doctor.

note that you may ALSO see an increase in “floaters” for a couple of weeks. Call your doctor if they get really bad, or don;t go away.

What do you think? Answer below!

Question by Johnny: A diabetic I know’s vision has suddenly gotten too blurry. Could it be retinopathy?
He can’t focus things even a few inches away. Image is blurry, but with no spots. He went to see a doctor who said the problem is diabetes related and unlikely to be reversed. The doctor didn’t provide details though and just told him to contact an association of diabetics who would know better about it. From what I’ve been reading, symptoms appear to be retinopathy’s, for which treatments have a high chance of success. Is that right? What treatment should he try? He’s desperate and can’t stop thinking he’ll lose his sight.

Best answer:

Answer by Face T
He needs to go to a retinal specialist i.e. a real doctor who can actually diagnose the condition and not just refer you to get help from association. If it is rentinopathy, it can usually be addressed with laser and injections. My mother, who is diabetic and has retinopathy, went for treatment 10 years ago, and repeating it again now (her vision is okay, not great but not blurry – thanks to the treatment).

Good luck

Give your answer to this question below!