Ok, I’m 26, I have proliferative retinopathy in both eyes, my right eye has suffered a bleed about 2 months ago and just about cleared, I had laser treatment in that eye a few weeks ago, well now I have a very bad bleed and when I close my good eye, all i see is a red glare, i cant see faces. My good eye so far i haven’t noticed any vision loss and i go next week to have that one lasered. I dont want to go blind, I want to see my son grow up, hes 5 months. With treatment, and since I dont have vision loss in my good eye yet, will I eventually go blind in that eye also? I’m so depressed.
Sorry to hear this about your eyes. Your eye doctor is the best one answer your concerns. But I can say that the treatments available today, and when caught early, have a very good chance of improving your vision. Are you seeing a retina specialist?
I have diabetes over 50 years, and had significant laser treatments done on both eyes, in late 1980s. They are now stable, with only 2 additional minor laser treatments since.
Your eye with bleed may clear up, or they may do a procedure called vitrectomy, which I had on one of my eyes.
Talk with your diabetes team to find ways to improve A1C and reduce high BGs. Consider getting CGMS if you don’t have it.
I was about your age when I started having retinopathy in both eyes. I was pregnant at the time and I was terrified, so I understand how you’re feeling. That was 40 years ago, and although I’ve had considerable vision loss, I’m still able to function very well.
Make sure you’re seeing a retina specialist and ask them questions. The treatment of retinopathy is much more orecise than 40 years ago.
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Thank you. I had my baby back in April and I got my a1c down from 12 to 7 in a little over a month so that probably had something to do with it. How good can you see? And also, since I currently have no vision loss or bleeds in my good eye, with treatment, what are the odds that this one will progress? I know I should ask my dr, but I just hope someone will nake me feel better lol
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I am so sorry this is happening to you right now. I wish we could wave a magic wand and make it go away!
But as some have stated here, the treatment plans nowadays are so much better than it was 20 or 30 years agao.
And I have been told that many times this complication an get worse as the blood sugars get better. I have gotten the background retinopathy diagnosis twice over the years. First at 15 years in, just started intensive insulin management and the next year checkup, it had cleared up. Last scare was a few years ago around the time I got my Dexcom. It was so minor, no pictures were necessary and as before, a year later it had cleared up.
This is something you can handle and with the proper treatment plan you will see your son one day graduate from college! You can do this! You have your family to help support you and we are here for you to cry on our shoulders when you did it. God bless and good luck! Give your son a big hug! You deserve it!
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Thanks so much for the kind words I thank God for this website
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No, you may not go blind in the other eye. I haven’t. In the 1980’s I had lots of bleeds in my left eye & numerous laser treatments. until they couldn’t do any more. Since then the left eye has settled down, with some blurry vision. But the good news is that I’ve never had signs of retinopathy in the right eye, touch wood. I’ve been T1 since 1961 & the bleeds were my 1st side effect. With all the modern improvements in diabetes treatment, pump & CGM & before that just home meters,my Blood sugars really improved. So no. you wont definately go blind.
I had severe proliferative retinopathy in both eyes in my mid twenties. That was 20 years ago. I had weekly laser for about a year with bleeds on and off for a while bewtween all the treatment but have had no problems since. I do have ’ night blindness ’ from all the laser meaning I just can’t always distinguish shapes etc in the dark but it’s a small price to pay as my sight was saved. My vision is absolutely fine otherwise - apart from reading glasses but half the world needs those 
At my last review a few weeks ago the ophthalmic surgeon said the retinopathy is now inactive. Don’t give up hope. I had it bad but with laser treatment have had no issues since.
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Oh God bless you I feel better
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My case was similar in that my vision changes and bleeds came soon after my A1C reduction. Unfortunately, this is common.
Make sure your eye doctor is aware of the red glare, and ask how long to let it clear on its own, vs when treatments may be needed.
In my case, I had one Dr say wait 6 months, another said 1 month. I trusted the 6 month advice, but in hindsight, and working with better specialists, found that the sooner rather than later would have been better.
i loss sight in one eye temporarily once. It is very sad. You still have one good eye.
I get treated at a Eye specialty hospital. If you can get to one then, I would go there. I was able to restore some sight in one eye. There are alot of procedures
and maybe transplant to help you. So strong. and love your family
Just to give you some hope - a friend of mine was told that he was going blind 15 years ago. He has a genetic condition that his father also had. They said he would be totally blind in 5 years. He can still see well enough, although he has recently given up driving. He goes overseas for treatment because he feels he has more success there. He also moved to Florida where he believes they have very good services for the blind because of all the elderly people. He went on disability this year, but is considering returning to work soon because he thinks he has found a job that is a great fit. He rides his bike all over town and still does great photography.
My dad was diagnosed at 13 years old. In his 20’s he started having eye troubles. He had laser surgery at that time and now at 60 years old still has normal vision in his left eye. His right eye had bad cataracts that went untreated for a long time. After 15 years with the cataract they replaced the lens in his right eye but by that time his brain had learned to ignore that eye so he has minimal vision.
Hopefully if you stay on top of things now everything will work out fine.
Ok I called my eye dr today and she seems to think that since I had laser surgery a few weeks ago, this bleed is normal? I go this Thursday to have the other eye lasered and she said she would look at my bad eye. Thanks everyone for the replies, I feel better.
Thank you. I had my baby back in April and I got my a1c down from 12 to 7 in a little over a month so that probably had something to do with it.
I was recently diagnosed as a LADA in with an A1C of 13%. Right away I got my average blood sugar down to ~115 but then after a few days my vision got blurry. After about 10 days my vision returned to normal. The doctor said that was normal when you’ve had your average blood sugar drop so quickly.
This might sound crazy but has anyone read information about the benefits of Vitamin C and helping your eyes? I know improving your A1C can help but I think there are also natural ways to help. I’m not sure how much of a help though… But it is worth a try I think. Years ago I had mild retinopathy in both eyes after having tons of issues using Levemir and extreme highs and lows. My new doctor switched me to Novolog and an insulin pump after a while and my A1C improved. I think I went from above a 10 to around a 7. I have issues with extreme lows so my doctors want my A1C higher than 6 but close to 7. I still have highs and lows but just not as extreme as before. Actually my Dexcom was a lot of help before I even started on an insulin pump. So anyone who isn’t interested in using pumps I definitely recommend at least a CGM to help stabilize in adjusting insulin and helping blood sugars. I feel like that has been the biggest help to me since I have Hypounawareness.
Anyways the point of my post is to say that for years after my diagnosis of retinopathy I used a lot of Vitamin C just to help with things like avoiding illnesses and even recently to help with my inflammation. I would take it every day. Then a few years back I was told I no longer have retinopathy. I was shocked to say the least. After I was told I no longer had it I remember reading something about Vitamin C possibly helping with retinopathy. Maybe this is something that couldn’t hurt or you might just want to ask your doctor about it.
I know it’s hard but try to stay positive. I try to keep a mindset that it could always be worse. Most things are manageable. They might be a pain in the butt or hard to deal with. But, you just have to keep working hard at it and don’t let it consume you. I try to minimalize it down to just an illness or medical problem. So many people have medical problems. This is definitely a good place to vent if you need too.
I love this community. I’ve always just wished that I could talk to other diabetics but I didn’t know any. My family is very supportive but it’s just not the same. I will look into the whole vitamin c thing, thanks for your input 
I have been reading your posts about your retinopathy and I COMPLETELY understand what you’re going through. I have been T1 since 9 and developed retinopathy post pregnancy. It scared me to death and I too thought I’d never see my son grow up. That was over 25 years ago…
I want you know that although I have had so many laser treatments, a vitrectomy, cataracts at age 30, a detached retina and even shots in my eyes for bleeding blood vessels that I’ve lost count. It DOES get better!
I am now in my 50’s and I can now see 20/20! I’ve had a cataract replacement, but the lenses they put in both eyes enables me to see perfectly!
Your retina specialist should be able help you get your bleeding under control. You need to keep on the right track by lowering your A1C…you’re doing great! Just remember that retinopathy has an “active” period that can last for a very long time. It does calm down and get better over time with the proper treatments along the way.
You shouldn’t go blind - you have good Drs that will do everything in their power to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Just do your job, be a mom, and be sure to take care of yourself too!
Good luck and try not to worry too much about this - it is controllable!
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