Q: My vision wasn’t clear when I was first diagnosed with diabetes, but soon cleared up when I started treating my diabetes. Why?
Blurred vision is a common symptom of diabetes but does not necessarily mean you have retinopathy. Your vision could be blurred because of the high levels of glucose in the blood before diagnosis. This can cause some swelling in the lens of the eye and therefore blurred vision. For your vision to return to normal, your blood glucose levels need to be stabilised, which may take some weeks. If your vision doesn’t return to normal after your blood glucose levels have been stabilised, speak to your doctor.
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Q: Will I be able to continue to drive?
Having retinopathy does not necessarily mean that you have to give up driving. It is important for you to find out what degree of retinopathy you have. If you have background retinopathy that is being monitored, you will probably still be able to drive.
If you have one of the more serious forms of retinopathy, such as proliferative or maculopathy, these conditions and their treatment may affect your visual field or night vision, and therefore your fitness to drive. Discuss these points with your diabetes healthcare team, who know your circumstances best.
You do not need to tell the DVLA if you have retinopathy or are receiving laser treatment in one eye. However, you will be asked whether you have had laser treatment when your license comes up for renewal. If you have had laser treatment in both eyes or if they are affected by retinopathy or other health problems you must tell the DVLA as soon as possible.
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Q: My vision hasn’t changed, but my eye specialist has told me I need laser treatment. Is this correct?
Retinopathy frequently has no symptoms until it is well advanced. Your eye specialist (opthalmologist) has probably caught your retinopathy at an early stage (before you will have noticed any visual changes) and recommended laser treatment.
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Q: I have had several sessions of laser treatment. How many more will I need?
Only your eye specialist can answer this question because it depends very much on your individual eye condition. However, even after successful laser treatment, regular eye examinations are still needed as any further changes in your eye may need more treatment. Ask your eye specialist about this.
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Q: Is anti-VEGF or laser treatment better for treating maculopathy?
Your eye specialist will be able to recommend the most suitable treatment option for you. Laser treatment can be effective in terms of reducing the risk of significant vision loss, however it generally does not improve vision. Anti-VEGF treatments have been shown to offer stabilisation of vision loss but can also lead to improvements in vision.
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Q: Are contact lenses safe for people with diabetes?
It is safe for people with diabetes to wear contact lenses as long as they are removed at any hint of discomfort. And if so, you should not put your lenses back in until your eyes have been completely comfortable for at least 24 hours.
There is some evidence that if you have diabetes and your cornea (front of your eye) becomes scratched by wearing contact lenses, you may not feel it. Ask your healthcare team if you are concerned.
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Q: Am I more likely to get cataracts if I have diabetes?
A cataract is the hardening and cloudiness of the lens of the eye. Although anyone can get cataracts, people with diabetes get these eye problems at an earlier age than most and the condition progresses more rapidly than in people without diabetes.
Cataracts only need treating if they affect your eyesight to the point where you are unable to do the things you want to do because of sight loss. Treatment is an operation that involves removing the lens, followed by putting in a lens implant, with glasses or contact lenses as needed to further correct vision.
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Q: I have glaucoma. Should I have the dilating drops at my eye examination?
Glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve (this tells the brain what we see). There are different types of glaucoma and your eye specialist needs to know your type before giving you dilating drops. These drops are essential for a full view of your retina, but you should discuss your individual concerns with your eye specialist.
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Q: Can people with diabetes have corrective surgery to improve distance vision?
Laser refractive surgery, often known as corrective surgery, enables the shape of the cornea to be modified. If you have diabetes and are interested in having this surgery, discuss your suitability with an eye specialist.
Some big eye hospitals have refractive units and your initial consultation may be free of charge. Do remember though, it’s generally accepted that the best way to correct distance vision with minimum risk to your eyes is by wearing glasses.
Reviewed March 2011
Next review September 2012