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The Question
06/18/09 12:15 PM

"I am terrified about having retinopathy laser treatments. I have read that I will lose some vision afterward. Also, will the procedure be painful?"
Asked By: wheber2  
Category: Vision

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Expert Answers (1)

06/21/09 02:41 PM

Hello Wheber2; You ask if laser treatment will be painful and if you will have a loss of vision. This is very hard to answer due to the complexity of the surgery and what type of retinopathy diagnosis you have. Surgical laser treatment can be panretinal photocoagulation or focal photocoagulation,(more talking with the doc). Retinopathy is the most common of the eye diseases for people with diabetes, in TY1 90-95% will develop some form of retinopathy. The diagnosis of retinopathy is telling me some damage to small blood vessels that bring oxygen to the retina has occurred. This retinopathy is divided into 2 major types, proliferative and nonprofiferative. If it is nonproliferative retinopathy these small vessels have formed pouches, that may leak fluid, this leaking usually does not harm your sight. If this worsens, blood and fats can begin to leak causing the retina to swell. The swelling will usually NOT harm your sight, unless this swelling occurs in the retina of the eye. The center of the retina is the macula, the macula is what allows you to see fine details. Swelling in the macula, is then referred to as macular edema. This edema can blur, distort, reduce or darken your sight. Nonproliferative retinopathy can progress to proliferative, due to changes in the blood vessels. With proliferative retinopathy you might have less vision in the side areas of the eye-and yes impact your vision. Emphasizing the need for that yearly eye exam. You can not see or feel the early signs of damage, but your eye doctor can. The proactive things YOU can do to calm your fears and reduce any more risk to your eyes lie primary in prevention. Optimal glycemic control and blood pressure control: A1C<6.5, pre-meal blood sugar readings<100, post-meal 2 hrs<140mg/dl, BP<130/80mm/Hg. In the event you need any assistance in correcting these items, call on your local diabetes educators. Thanks for asking dLife, call on us as needed. Regards; Sue for you!!
Answered By: Susan Throop
Accreditations: RD, CDE, MA
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Community Answers (2)

06/22/09 11:08 AM

Thank you for your answers to my questions. This brings up more questions.....Do the blood vessels have to bleed before they will do laser treatments? I'm also curious to know.... once it does bleed, is that when I will notice blind spots? I'm afraid that I will be driving when it happens and I will wreck. I'm I worrying too much?
Answered By: wheber2
FLAG
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06/21/09 05:48 PM

There is no need to be terrified. I have had laser treatments in both eyes and there was very little pain. I can say it was uncomfortable, but I really wouldn't call it painful. Whenever something happens to your eyes you automatically think it will painful like a stick in your eye. Trust me it is not. I had 1,500 hits of laser in each eye. I did not experience any great loss in vision, in fact hardly any at all. After my treatments almost 20 years ago I have no new vessel growth. The last thing you want is a bleed. That's what happened to me. If I had the laser treatments this most likely wouldn't have happened. I live in Massachusetts and have access to the Joslin clinic in Boston. It has it's own eye clinic where I had all my laser treatments. So don't be afraid, it's not so bad and the end result will save your eye sight. I hope my input will help you with your laser treatments. Remember it will save your eye sight.
Answered By: charliel
FLAG
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*** All information contained on dLife.com is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Our Expert Q&A is not intended to be a replacement or substitute for consultation with a qualified medical professional or for professional medical advice related to diabetes or another medical condition. Please contact your physician or medical professional with any questions and concerns about your medical condition.

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