Question about eyesight issues and pre-diabetes.

Welcome @mcmurf2 to the Diabetes/Endocrine Group. You have a very important question. I addressed this with a post earlier as I have Diabetes 2 and was having problems not seeing as well either. My name is Carol; I am 75 years old. I thought my less than clear eyes were probably my age. Since my diagnosis over three years ago, I have had my eyes checked every year. I go to a group practice that has optometrists (not MD) and ophthalmologist (MD). My endocrinologist told me I needed to see an eye dr. specializing in managing diabetics to check for eye problems. Fortunately, one of the doctors is an MD and specializes in diabetic retinopathy. So. I started seeing him for my checks. Thankfully, my eyes are not being affected by the diabetes yet, but the vision is a result of the beginning of cataracts. Of course there are other things that cause blurred vision. Eyesight can be a problem for us, so we need to check for any changes. Someone who is not familiar may not know what to look for. It is stressful to think about having eye problems, so we need to be vigilant in having checks. Is you eye dr. an MD.? If not, do you have one close to you that could check your eyes?
Carol

yes.. MD. they do work with diabetic retinopathy. I do see an endo and have an appt in a couple weeks. It just seems like in the last 11 months, my eyes have really gotten bad. I've seen the eye dr 2 x in 11 months. I scheduled an appt with my primary tomorrow as I have been very dizzy today and if felt like my right eye was wanting to close. sigh......... too much going on...

@mcmurf2 Glad to hear from you. Since you have checked with your eye doctor about diabetic retinopathy and he gave your eye an all good. When you see your endo, he should have a next step for you to take. At this point I'd have to put my problems in the hands on the endo for him to send you to someone he thinks can help. I know it is frustrating to have eye problems and not be able to get the situation corrected. You didn't say how old you are-----if you are young, it may be one thing; if you are a senior, it could be something else. Age does often make a difference. Do you have confidence in your endo? What about your primary? Can you check in with both doctors and see if you can get answers or recommendations for where to go next?
Carol

hi! well, had a primary visit today. Asked her about that blood work that my psych was concerned about. My primary said I was NOT in her range. So,, don't worry about it..sigh. mentioned my eyes.. she said nothing. ( I think I need a new primary). I am 55. This past year has been one hell of a stress ride. I will talk more with my endo on the 11th of Oct. She will know more I"m sure. People are sort of joking with me telling me it IS my age with my eyes. BUT,,, like I said.. eye dr saw no changes... ( sigh again). guess I was worried about the pre diabetes for nothing. However, my sister and brother both got type 2 later in their lives.. sooooo,, it IS an actual concern for me. I will just have to keep an eye out for myself.

@mcmurf2 At least you ruled out getting help from your primary. Sometimes that happens. A doctor isn't schooled in an area; I'm glad she admitted it and told you she didn't know. Can you choose another primary? Maybe you could find one who has a greater range of expertise and can help. I hope your endo will give you some answers and help. I think we all have a tendency to say it's age when it probably isn't. You've done a good job of ruling out two doctors who don't have answers. Now, maybe your endo will know or can send you to another specialist who can run some tests. Some doctor out there can give you a reason for your eye problem. Are you willing to follow through to get some answers?
Carol

yes.. I am going to follow thru... will wait to see what my endo has to say. then , I do have an appt at Mayo the end of Oct. so after I get all my info together,, I will present Mayo with my issues. Hopefully, I will get my answers. It is just getting tiring waiting. It has been 11 months. I have been patient.

That's terrific @mcmurf2. If anyone can find a solution, I would put my money on Mayo. They have the best of the best in all areas, so I suspect they will be able to give you an answer and help you get your eye problem solved. You have been so patient for almost a year, just think that in a few weeks you could have an answer and not be worried about your eye. I hope you will post and keep me informed of your progress. I will be thinking of you with very positive thoughts. Will you let us know when you have a diagnosis for what has been causing all your eye problems?
Carol

hi! yes.. I will post what I find out at Mayo. There are a lot of things going on. ( they may regret agreeing to see me..hahahahaha),, jj. I am anxiously awaiting the end of Oct. as I have high hopes in finding out a lot about my different situations and how they are all intertwined. thank you all so much for your support.

I have been told prediabetes looking for some insight

@trellg132 Welcome to the Diabetes and Endocrine Group. My name is Carol,and I have Diabetes 2. It is good that you know you are prediabetic and you can take steps not to cross over into full blown diabetes. Prediabetes means you are very close to becoming a diabetic. Since you are pre, I assume you know your A1C and blood sugar numbers. To prevent getting diabetes, you need to establish a diet that eliminates all of the bad foods that raise the sugar in your blood. A really good source that I use is The Mayo Clinic Diabetes Diet book. Though it is for diabetics, like me, it gives information and foods for prediabetics also. I did not have a dr. who warned me about prediabetes, so one day I was not and the next day I was a Diabetic 2. It is a tricky disease, and you can avoid it through diet and exercise. Hopefully,you won't need medication. The first thing I would do is read about prediabetes on the internet. There is so much information that can help you know what to do. Did your doctor give you a diet to follow or suggest that you see an endocrinologist? Also a nutritionist can help you establish a diet of foods that are healthy and will keep your blood sugar in range. Most doctors say an A1C of 5.7% is pre. There are many questions. Will you let me know if you have other concerns before seeing a specialist who can prevent you from going into diabetes?
Carol