Diabetes Archives

diabetic retinopathy

Dr. Walt...
A friend of mine, mid twenties, just had laser surgery for what his work associate described as "bleeding behind the eye." I would suspect it is diabetic retinopathy. The patient was told he may become blind within a year, and must have the other eye done in 30 days. This will be his second round of laser eye surgeries
My question: is there any alternative treatment that would be supportive of the vascular structures that are apparently leaking? Is there ANY help for this young man other than continued zapping of the leaking vessels with a laser?
I know that complete control of the diabetes would be the obvious starting point, and I presume that has been addressed with insulin therapy and diet...but, isn't there something else that can be done to increase the structural integrity of the retinal vessels so they won't continue to leak and compromise his vision?
I'd like to be able to offer this person something to hold onto...perhaps an innovative therapy that's either in the developmental stage in conventional medicine, or a promising new alternative path. I'm not trying to practice medicine,
just pass on some really credible, the responsible thoughts of someone who DOES know what he's talking about.
Thanks,
Bob M.

Follow Ups:

• Re: Diabetic retinopathy? (Archive.) Walt Stoll [9.8] 07:29:06 2/22/04 (1)
  • Re: Diabetic retinopathy? (Archive.) Bob M. [1697.203] 11:06:22 2/22/04 (0)
• Re: diabetic retinopathy Bob M. [1697.203] 13:13:39 2/21/04 (0)

In Reply to: diabetic retinopathy posted by Bob M. [1697.203] on February 21, 2004 at 11:52:28:

Red faced...
just went through archive...found what was ALREADY posted re:
diabetic retinopathy...will copy and forward to my young friend.
Thanks.

In Reply to: diabetic retinopathy posted by Bob M. [1697.203] on February 21, 2004 at 11:52:28:

Hi, Bob M.

Nowhere in your note did you say that your young friend actually HAD type I diabetes. ????????? It would have to be uncontrolled type I for this to be happening so early in life.

I need an actual diagnosis for the best info.

In the meantime, I would begin taking at least 3000 milligrams of CoQ10, 4000 milligrams of esterified vitamin C, 500 units of mixed tocophereol vitamin E, 50 milligrams of zinc and 3000 milligrams of omega 3s twice a day. There is no possible harm that can accrue from following this regimen.

It would be interesting to be a fly on the wall when his doc sees the improvements within just a month.

Let us know how he does and what his actual diagnosis IS.

Walt

Follow Ups:

• Re: Diabetic retinopathy? (Archive.) Bob M. [1697.203] 11:06:22 2/22/04 (0)

In Reply to: Re: Diabetic retinopathy? (Archive.) posted by Walt Stoll [9.8] on February 22, 2004 at 07:29:06:

Thank you Dr. Walt...
Note of explanation: I had NO idea Tom had any sort of medical problem until I called his place of work and his associate told me about his surgery on Friday.
I'll pass on what you've posted and ask Tom himself for specifics. Yeah, young guy, family, very decent chap...something very wrong with his equation.
Bob M.