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Eye Care (Expert Forum)
M.Degeneration or Diabetic Retinopathy??
Our Ask A Doctor Ophthalmology Forum is where you can post your question and receive a personal answer from physicians affiliated with the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
M.Degeneration or Diabetic Retinopathy??
by Cam-Saser, Jul 29, 1999 12:00AM
Posted by Cam Sasser on July 29, 1999 at 08:42:17
Hello,
My mother is age 54 and has had type II diabetes for 13 years; she has never been able to control her sugar levels properly. About 7 years ago she developed symptoms of macular degeneration, including blurred vision, seeing wavy lines instead of straight, flashes of light, etc. She recently (finally!) saw an opthalmologist and he says she has the classic symptoms of "wet" macular degeneration--she has many leaking vessels in her eye. He said she could also have a little diabetic retinopathy. My question is,
what is the liklihood that she would have both? I think that, with her history of not keeping her blood sugar down (often her BG levels are near 200 or over), it is more likely that ALL of the problem is diabetic retinopathy -related. Both diseases seem to have all the same symptoms, but one is a chance disease of age while the other is directly caused by diabetes. Do you agree or have any insights?
Thank you so much.
Posted by HFHS MD - NI on July 29, 1999 at 23:12:29
It is possible for swelling in the retina to occur from either diabetic retinopathy or from wet macular degeneration. She is a little young for wet macular degeneration, but it is possible. Diabetic retinopathy is a definate possibility. Usually, it is possible to tell whether one or both of these conditions is present and I believe your ophthalmologist should be able to help you.
