Diabetic retinopathy
Discussion
Here’s more info on your condition: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetic-retinopathy...
Here’s the official line: https://www.gov.uk/eye-conditions-and-driving
Here’s the official line: https://www.gov.uk/eye-conditions-and-driving
stage 1 is very minor , it could just be one single microanurysm which is pretty much universal after you have been diabetic a while, they can come and go as well so it might be gone in a few weeks. It is a warning sign to make sure your control is decent though as poor control can make it worse pretty fast.
No need to inform DVLA unless you have reduced VA due to maculopathy or a field defect which can be caused bu laser treatment.
No need to inform DVLA unless you have reduced VA due to maculopathy or a field defect which can be caused bu laser treatment.
I have had retinopathy for nearly 20 years. I have been T1D for 45 years.
I think you only need to inform the DVLA if you have had laser treatment as that will diminish your peripheral vision. Better to be safe and just let them know what is going on though.... it won't mean a driving ban at this stage for certain..... I let the DVLA know on my first session of laser treatment.
I had my first retinopathy laser in 2006 and quite quickly maxed out the amount of retina they could laser without impairing my peripheral vision.
So, I subsequently had a vitrectomy and injections back in about 2008. I then was fine for about ten years...until I needed cataracts operations in both eyes. That was fine and corrected my myopic vision and the need to wear glasses all the time......
More recently my right eye has been playing up again with total sight loss which then returns after a couple of days associated with retinal bleeds. So I am back to injections in that eye every three months which seems to be working. The specialists think it is retina detaching from the vitreous jelly that is plucking on the old heavily lasered blood vessels - so linked to age rather than anything nefarious.
As you will know blood sugar stability is really important to keep your eye health......
I think you only need to inform the DVLA if you have had laser treatment as that will diminish your peripheral vision. Better to be safe and just let them know what is going on though.... it won't mean a driving ban at this stage for certain..... I let the DVLA know on my first session of laser treatment.
I had my first retinopathy laser in 2006 and quite quickly maxed out the amount of retina they could laser without impairing my peripheral vision.
So, I subsequently had a vitrectomy and injections back in about 2008. I then was fine for about ten years...until I needed cataracts operations in both eyes. That was fine and corrected my myopic vision and the need to wear glasses all the time......
More recently my right eye has been playing up again with total sight loss which then returns after a couple of days associated with retinal bleeds. So I am back to injections in that eye every three months which seems to be working. The specialists think it is retina detaching from the vitreous jelly that is plucking on the old heavily lasered blood vessels - so linked to age rather than anything nefarious.
As you will know blood sugar stability is really important to keep your eye health......
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