t2 diabetes retinopathy??

[thecuriouscat]

Hi all, hope u are all doing ok x
My DH just got a letter yesterday in the post from his annual screening test for his eyes since diabetes can cause eye problems and visual loss from what I am aware of. Last year when he first started going it was fine had no problems. This year we were expecting the same thing but he has now developed stage 1 background retinopathy.

We’re honestly petrified and looking for some advice ladies if you’ve ever had any experience. I want to help him but quite stressed at the moment and he doesn’t seem to care or doesn’t have time to do anything for his health. He’s 42 and is not very active but does go for walks everyday or every other day. He eats quite buttery food but i’m going to cut down on that but any advice would be appreciated . Thanks ladies xx

I've got retinopathy. It can be very frightening. Good blood sugar control (easier said than done, in my case) is the only way to go. But don't panic. The eye clinic I go to are (generally) v good. I've had both cataracts done (v good experience all round) and a vitrectomy last November, since when my vision has (in my opinion) got very much worse. Apparently it was to stop it getting progressively worse, so I reluctantly agreed go procedure. Fairly certain I wouldn't do it again. Laser treatment is uncomfortable, not really painful. But with good support you can cope with most things. I wish I could reassure you properly.

Thank you for the advice x Do you need any treatment for stage 1 retinopathy? Just a bit anxious because I feel sick waiting for another year just to find out something maybe worse than this. Do you have any advice on good blood sugar control? I’ve never had diabetes even though I have my fair share of problems so I’m sorry if I sound stupid 😅

The diabetic nurse at the GP surgery should be able to refer him to a diabetes essentials, structured educational programme for some diabetic diet advice.

Diabetes U.K. has lots of dietary advice online too.
www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/healthy-eating

What was his most recent HbA1c measurement? Complications such as retinopathy can be associated with poor diabetic control (higher blood sugars) A look at diabetes uk site on low carb eating might be useful. It is a bit wortying that you say he doesnt care or have time to do anything for his health. Hopefully this scare will make him change that thinking. Good luck to you both

I'm T1 and had background retinopathy in my first year of diagnosis (in T1 it can be caused by being u diagnosed then bringing BG into control )
By my second year it had disappeared.
The important thing with T2 is diet.
It's not the butter that's the problem but if by buttery foods you mean pastries/cake (high carb foods) then that definitely can cause problems.
Low carb diets work very well to put T2 into remission so he's in luck! If he chooses to be but I know it's not always easy to change your way of life.

Why would you buy a diabetes medication when you get free prescriptions? Different medications will work differently on a case by case basis in type 2 diabetes, Victoza might not be right for the ops DH. He may not need medication at all.

Theres no treatment required for his eyes currently, but getting good blood glucose and blood pressure control will help if he doesn’t have that already. Regular activity, a bit of weight loss if he’s over weight will also help. If he smokes he really should stop.

Has he been on any education courses? I think they were stalled over covid, but hopefully getting going again. There’s either DESMOND or X-PERT for people with type 2.