Losing my vision has long been one of my greatest fears—an ever-present shadow since I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes over 40 years ago. Today, that fear is becoming reality. After years of managing diabetic retinopathy, my vision is now under serious threat. In the last five years alone, I’ve undergone 16 laser treatments and 6 eye injections, each one a reminder of how fragile sight can be.
More recently, glaucoma has entered the picture, further complicating my already delicate situation with diabetic macular edema (DME). I rely on daily eye drops just to maintain stability. My right eye, clouded by floaters and shadowed vision, serves as a daily reminder of the ongoing battle I face with my eye health.
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Fear of Complications
For over a decade following my initial retinopathy diagnosis, the condition remained mild—requiring little more than vigilant blood sugar control. Yet the fear of something more serious has always lingered, a quiet but persistent presence in the back of my mind.
This fear isn’t uncommon. Many people with diabetes—especially those of us diagnosed with type 1 at a young age—live under the shadow of potential complications. We’ve spent years aware that issues could eventually arise, and that awareness can quietly shape how we manage our condition and how we live.
Much like the widely recognized “fear of hypoglycemia,” which describes the anxiety around low blood sugar that leads some to run high, I believe we need to acknowledge a broader, equally powerful emotional burden: the fear of complications. It’s that looming dread that future issues—like vision loss, nerve damage, or kidney failure—may strike. Or worse, that existing problems will quietly worsen over time.
This fear doesn’t just touch our physical health; it deeply affects our mental well-being. Despite the countless advancements in diabetes care, the psychosocial aspects—particularly the mental health toll—are still too often overlooked.
I’ve heard the warnings for as long as I can remember: people with diabetes are significantly more likely to develop eye disease. In fact, more than half of all individuals with diabetes will experience some form of retinopathy or macular edema. For those of us with type 1 diabetes, the risk is even higher. These aren’t just statistics—they’re realities many of us are living or anticipating every day.
Facing My Worst Diabetes Fears
In the summer of 2019, I was confronted with one of the most difficult moments in my diabetes journey. I had crossed an important threshold—my retinopathy had progressed to the point where laser treatments were necessary. In that moment, it felt as though the ground beneath me had shifted. My heart raced, and tears welled up as I struggled to process what this meant.
Though my eye doctor calmly reassured me that the treatment was routine, I couldn’t hear logic over the deafening sound of fear. Friends who had undergone the procedure echoed the same sentiment: “You’ll be fine.” But I wasn’t fine—not emotionally. I hadn’t experienced anything like this before, and the unknown left me shaken.
The night before the procedure, I barely slept. My nerves were raw. Even the short drive to the clinic felt endless. Fear had taken over, and the thought of anything going wrong consumed me.
My Retinopathy Laser Treatment
Despite the anxiety, I went through with it—and to my surprise, the procedure was nothing like I had imagined. It wasn’t frightening or painful. In fact, it was far easier than some of my standard diabetes eye exams, where I’ve had to endure painfully bright lights.
Here’s how it went:
- I received numbing drops and pupil-dilating drops in the waiting room.
- A small “X” was marked above my left eye—a simple but comforting safety measure.
- At the laser machine, I rested my chin and focused on a tiny light while the doctor examined my eye. It felt just like any other diagnostic scan I’d done before.
- Then came the laser: 30 rapid bursts of light, much like camera flashes. The whole procedure took around 20 minutes.
- From start to finish, including waiting time, I was done in about 45 minutes.
To my relief, there was no pain. My specialist had said it would be simple—and he was right. I just hadn’t believed him until I experienced it myself.
Recovery was smooth. My left eye felt slightly dilated and sensitive to light, but nothing more. Later that evening, I was able to enjoy dinner and drinks without any trouble—aside from squinting a bit when the lights were too bright.
Blood sugar-wise, the only spike came from pre-procedure stress, with levels briefly touching the low 200s before quickly returning to normal. In the following days, my eye felt a bit itchy and mildly sensitive to screens, but the discomfort was minimal.
In hindsight, my fear was far greater than the reality. And while the emotional weight of facing laser treatment for retinopathy was valid, I now carry the reassurance of knowing I can handle it—and that I’m stronger than the fear.
Experiencing Eye Injections: A New Chapter in My Retinopathy Journey
The success of my initial laser treatment brought a momentary sense of relief. Unfortunately, it was just the beginning. As my retinopathy progressed, it eventually developed into diabetic macular edema (DME), requiring even more aggressive treatment.
Almost a year after that first laser procedure, I encountered a terrifying new symptom: dark, black floaters clouding the vision in my right eye—the one that hadn’t previously needed intervention. Panic set in immediately. This wasn’t a minor inconvenience; it was the first time my vision had been visibly and significantly impacted by my condition.
Tears flowed freely as I processed the gravity of the situation. A visit to my retinal specialist confirmed my fears—it was classified as a “critical, vision-impacting emergency.” A small retinal blood vessel had ruptured, and the resulting internal bleeding was responsible for the floaters interrupting my sight.
The solution? An intravitreal eye injection.
The Reality of Eye Injections
Receiving an eye injection was something I had dreaded for years. Even hearing the words made my heart race. But the experience itself was far less daunting than I imagined.
My doctor recommended Avastin, an off-label medication originally developed for cancer treatment, now widely used to treat vision loss related to diabetic retinopathy. While not specifically FDA-approved for this purpose, it has proven to be an effective and affordable first-line treatment. Avastin helps reduce abnormal blood vessel growth and stabilize the retina—critical in cases like mine.
The process started with numbing drops, just like before. Then came the injection. I braced myself for pain and panic—but the truth is, I barely felt a thing.
The needle enters from the side of the eye, outside of direct view. Thanks to the numbing, I experienced only a quick pinch, lasting no more than a few seconds. It was over before I even realized it had begun.
The Aftermath
Once the drops wore off, my vision returned to normal. There was some minor irritation—like the sting of looking into a bright light—that forced me to close my eyes briefly or wipe away a few tears. But the discomfort was minimal and short-lived.
Over time, as expected, the blood that had leaked into my eye slowly dissipated. The floaters began to clear, and my vision stabilized. It was a huge relief after the emotional turmoil of seeing my eyesight compromised.
A Lifeline Through Connection
One thing that made a tremendous difference throughout this experience was connecting with others who’ve been through the same treatments. Their stories, support, and reassurance helped ease my fear and reminded me that I wasn’t alone in this journey.
Additional Resources for Understanding Diabetic Eye Care
- Diabetic Retinopathy 101: What You Should Know
- Laser Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy
- Medicated Eye Injections Explained
An Evolving Diagnosis: Managing the Complexities of Eye Disease
Since that first diagnosis, my journey has become more complex and layered. I’ve undergone numerous additional laser treatments and eye injections—each one a necessary step in managing the progression of diabetic retinopathy and macular edema. But this path has included more than just procedures; it’s a constantly evolving story with many moving parts.
Routine monitoring now includes fluorescein angiography—a diagnostic dye test where a yellow dye is injected into my bloodstream. This allows specialists to capture high-resolution images of my retina, helping them assess the health of my blood vessels and identify any leaks or abnormal growth.
Alongside retinopathy, I also manage glaucoma, a condition requiring twice-daily eye drops to control intraocular pressure. Without this treatment, there’s a real risk of sudden, irreversible vision loss—this time from glaucoma rather than diabetes-related damage.
To complicate matters further, I carry a heightened risk of retinal detachment due to both my family history and the current state of my eye health. It’s another layer of uncertainty I’ve had to accept as I move forward.
And yet, despite everything, I remain incredibly grateful. My care team has helped keep my vision as stable as possible, and I continue to do everything I can—from regular checkups to tight blood sugar management—to protect what I have.
No one wants to face the possibility of vision loss due to diabetes. But I’m thankful that, so far, my experience has been largely positive. Even amid the anxiety and fear that still linger, I try to focus on the present—and the progress we’ve made in treating conditions like mine.
About the Author
Mike Hoskins is an engagement editor at Healthline, and formerly served as managing editor at DiabetesMine. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 5 in 1984—and following in the footsteps of his mother, who was also diagnosed as a child—Mike brings both personal and professional insight to the diabetes community.
A graduate of Oakland University in Michigan with a degree in journalism, he has more than two decades of experience in print and digital media. He joined DiabetesMine in 2012 after building a loyal readership through his personal blog, The Diabetic’s Corner Booth, where he shared honest reflections on life with T1D.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does “An Evolving Diagnosis” mean in the context of diabetic eye health?
It refers to how eye conditions related to diabetes—such as retinopathy, diabetic macular edema (DME), and glaucoma—can change and progress over time, often requiring new treatments and ongoing monitoring.
Why do eye issues evolve for people with diabetes?
Chronic high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the eyes. Even with good glucose control, complications may still develop or progress due to the long-term nature of diabetes and other risk factors like genetics, aging, or blood pressure.
How is diabetic retinopathy diagnosed and monitored?
Through detailed eye exams including retinal imaging, OCT scans, and dye tests like fluorescein angiography, which help doctors assess the health of retinal blood vessels and detect any abnormalities.
What treatments are available for diabetic eye conditions?
Treatments may include laser therapy, intravitreal injections (e.g., Avastin, Eylea, or Lucentis), and daily eye drops for associated conditions like glaucoma. Regular blood sugar and blood pressure management is also critical.
Are eye injections painful?
Most patients report only minimal discomfort. The eye is numbed beforehand, and the needle is usually administered outside of the direct line of vision, making the procedure surprisingly tolerable.
Conclusion
Navigating the complexities of diabetic eye disease is an ongoing journey marked by uncertainty, resilience, and hope. While the progression of retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, and glaucoma can be daunting, advances in treatment and vigilant care offer real opportunities to preserve vision.
My experience—from laser treatments to injections and managing glaucoma—has taught me the importance of staying proactive, informed, and connected to both medical professionals and supportive communities. Though fear remains a natural companion, it is balanced by gratitude for the progress made and the knowledge that with proper management, living well with diabetes and protecting my eyesight is possible.