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08/14/09 11:09 PM

"My primary care VA doc requested the exam and was informed I was only eligible for exams every 2 years based on not being diagnosed with retinopathy."
Asked By: rtorbett  
Category: Vision

Background Info Hide
I'm T2 and just on insulin about a month now. Novalin N 12 units base and additional unit for every 10 above 120 glucose prior to my injection about 2130 each night. I'm now told by the vision care unit that if I wasn't diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy on my last visit I must wait 2 years for another exam. This seems to be a strange way of treating PWD patients.

Expert Answers (1)

09/06/09 03:45 PM

Hello Rtorbett: You indicate that you were recently started on insulin in addition to oral medication. I must inquire "how are the blood glucose numbers."Not being diagnosed with diabetic complications such as retinopathy is a GOOD thing.

Diabetes and eye diseases include primarily 3: retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. (You did not mention any changes in your eye site so I have addressed the most common problem seen). Neuropathy of the eye-retinopathy the most common include symptoms of: blurring, spots, shadows, trouble reading, just to mention a few. Regardless of the diagnosis or symptoms the remedy is the "prevention measures" described here. You indicate no previous problems and VA has its criteria. I would suggest: if you feel you have trouble with your eye site, you may need to pay for that evaluation.

Prevention and optimize blood glucose control, with or without diagnosis, you will want to stall off any potential of complications :

  • overt diagnosis of retinopathy, nephropathy or other non-reversible complications.

    These unpleasant complications occur when the excessive sweetness, (when values go beyond 140-180mg/dl-AACE, ADA), fuel a metabolic pathway that blocks nerve impulses, resulting in a variety of body systems malfunctions. So, prevention is the Rx!!!

  • Continuous testing/logging/monitoring for any potential to impact the blood glucoses: stress/illness/activity changes/skipped or missed meals, make sure the insulin Rx is properly stored and observe expiration dates, (the change to include a replacement Rx of insulin suggest that your beta cells are continuing to be sluggish in their secretion of your own insulin).

    If the blood glucose levels have been out or range, this could temporarily change the components of the eye, such that the vision is impaired-further emphasizing the need to get back to basics: A1C<7%, Blood pressure<130/80, Total cholesterol<200mg/dl, LDL<100mg/dl, HDL>50mg/dl for men. Call on dLife as needed. Regards Sue

    • Answered By: Susan Throop
    Accreditations: RD, CDE, MA
    Sources Show

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