I just wanted to give a bit of an update of a personal nature today. Many readers here on LiP have been long term friends of the site and have become almost family in many ways. Because of that you may have an interest in this personal update.
I have not said much about this on LiP over the past months that it has been an issue, but if you are a friend on Facebook you have seen some information about it.
It is all about my eyes, my vision. I started having vision problems in 2015. So far, much of 2016 has been devoted to trying to fix those problems. When I first started experiencing these vision problems it was my belief that I had cataracts. I am of the age when people start developing cataracts, and the symptoms that I had indicated to me, and others that I talked to, that cataracts were the problem. My vision was fairly dark, extreme light caused halos in my vision and other things that are common for those with cataracts.
Things suddenly changed
As I said, in around mid 2015 I started noticing some deterioration in my vision. Nothing drastic, but certainly bad enough to notice a difference. Things got worse as time passed. I had so much going on in the second half of 2015 that I decided to really focus on this issue after the New Year. In fact, right after the New Year, things came to a head. One morning, Feyma was going to General Santos for a family reunion. I was not going along because I had things to do and could not make the trip. It turned out that it was good that I was not traveling. On the Saturday that Feyma was out of town, I woke up in the morning, and I was more or less blind in my left eye. My right eye was pretty blurry, but I could still see. About an hour later, my left eye regained vision, but pretty blurry, my right eye improved significantly.
When this experience happened, shortly after January 1, 2016, I was pretty sure that cataracts were not my problem. When vision returned to my left eye, I had a strange experience that as I looked through the eye, I could see all of the blood vessels in my eye, kind of floating in front of me. I had just enough vision that I could use my computer to research this, so I started searchign Google to see what I could find out. When I searched about the vision of blood vessels thing, I started learning about a condition that I had never heard of before: Diabetic Retinopathy. I knew that people with Diabetes were prone to eye problems, even blindness, but I had not heard of this exact condition. The more I read about “diabetic retinopathy” the more I was sure that I had it. All of the symptoms fit me.
When Feyma got home the next day, I talked with her and decided I needed to get to the eye doctor as quickly as I could, so we set up an appointment to start taking care of the problem. When I had my first exam, it was confirmed, I had PDR, Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy, meaning that it was fairly advanced.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
You may not have ever heard of this condition, I know I had not until recently. It is actually fairly common among diabetics. Basically, if you have Diabetic Retinopathy, a couple of things happen. Firstly, the blood vessels in your eyes start leaking, thus you have blood inside your eyeball. Second thing is that your eye starts growing new, unwanted blood vessels. Neither the blood leakage ore the new blood vessel growth are good.
There are several treatments, but as it advances the ultimate treatment is laser treatment. The laser is used for two things. Firstly, they use the laser to “burn off” or kill off the new blood vessel growth. Secondly, they use the laser to cauterize the leaking blood vessels, to stop the leakage of blood. Before laser treatment is used they try other methods, including giving injections of medication into your eyes. In my case, the condition was advanced and they decided to go directly to the laser treatments. Most people who need this laser treatment for this condition require 3 rounds of treatment. In my case, they gave me 4 rounds of laser treatment, one round per week for 4 weeks.
The Treatments
For the 4 laser treatments I had 3 different doctors. Laser surgeries 1 and 3 were the same doctor, but 2 and 4 were each different doctors. I liked #2 and #4 a lot, the other doctor was nice, but I preferred the others better. Reason? The two preferred doctors had more experience in working with foreigners. Doctor #1 had not worked on many (any?) foreigners before. What is the difference? Well, I didn’t think it would be any different, but a conversation with one of the doctors convinced me differently.
When I had laser surgery #1, it was very painful, I mean VERY painful. We had to stop and take breaks basically around every 5 minutes. While he didn’t say so, I felt that the comments from the doctor seemed to indicate that it was my fault and that I was just not strong enough to handle the pain. I felt bad about it, but the pain was almost unbearable. I was certainly not excited to go in the next week for my second surgery. When I went for #2, though, it turned out that I had a different doctor. I was surprised that the surgery was not painful at all, and we were able to do the complete treatment for each eye without stopping for a break. We took a 5 minute break between the treatments for each eye, but no breaks during a single eye. So, after the doctor treated my right eye, he said to take a 5 minute break before starting the left eye.
During the 5 minute break, I told the doctor that he must be a real expert on the laser because there was no pain at all! He asked me if there had been pain on my first treatment, and I told him that yes, there had been terrible pain. He looked surprised, and said there should be no pain, or only minor pain. As we talked about it, we found out what happened. The first doctor had not been used to treating foreigners. I asked him what difference it made if it was a foreigner or a Filipino being treated. He explained to me that when treating a Filipino eye with the laser, the laser had to be turned up to the maximum power/strength, in order to penetrate the dark pigmentation of the Filipino eye. For a foreigner, and especially a foreigner with blue eyes like me, the power had to be turned down quite low, because the high power setting were not necessary, since my level of pigmentation was much less than a Filipino. After he explained that, it all made sense to me. So, if you will have such laser surgery on your eyes in the Philippines, make sure the doctor is aware that different settings are necessary for foreigners.
One thing that really shook me up when I had my first laser treatment was that within just a few minutes after the doctor started treating my right eye, I was completely blind in that eye. It scared me pretty badly. When I questioned the doctor about this, he didn’t seem to understand what I was asking, and really did not answer my question. I was relieved, though, when after he completed treating that eye, my vision returned to the eye after about 10 minutes or so.
The number 1 question
The question that I hear from nearly everybody that I have told about this is this: “Is your vision really good after having this laser surgery?”
Well, let me be clear about this. This laser surgery has nothing to do with improving your vision. The purpose of this surgery is to keep you from going blind. I was also thinking that this surgery would improve my vision, but that is just not the case. In fact, after my initial exam, the doctor explained tome that my vision would not be better after the surgery, in fact, he said, my vision would be a little worse. Why would you have surgery if makes your vision worse? Well, to keep from going blind! After completing the surgery, you can then treat the vision either through a different type of laser surgery or by getting glasses or contact lenses. So, no, having the surgery did not give me great vision. I would not say that my vision is much worse than it was a month or so ago, but it is certainly not better.
My Follow Up Visit
After my final laser treatment they told me to come back in two weeks, at which time they would do a final check on my eyes to see if the treatment was successful. I had that visit earlier this week, and got my report. The results were not what I expected. What does that mean? Well, come back and visit again tomorrow and I’ll continue the story.
Best wishes and best of luck to you Bob. I wish I could convince you to come back to the USA for the best treatments in the world. You know the medical care is generally a bit behind in the Philippines compared to what is available in the USA. Maybe its different where you are but I am speaking about my experience on the other side of your island.
In the 16 years that I have lived here I have always had excellent medical care. Going back to the USA for medical treatment would not give me anything more than I am getting now.
Glad your getting good care there, wish it was the same where my in-laws live. They have to travel for any thing more serious than a cut or rash.
I see, sorry to hear that, Bruce. I live in one of the top 3 metropolitan areas of the country, we have access to great medical care here, and pretty much anything else we might want or need. So, I am quite comfortable with the care that I am getting.
Bob. Man prayers and good wishes to you. I will say that I had a feeling when you started this that it might be diabetic related. My mom went thru the same thing. Anyways stay tough and strong and may God be with you.
Thank you so much. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
I’m sorry to hear this. With diabetes a yearly visit to check for bleeding is a must. I recent had a couple of shots of laser, my right eye was bleeding for a couple of years. They also told me about something in the dead center of the eye that had to be lasered. Keeping your numbers low and blood pressure are musts for protecting your eyes. Keep really diligent on this. I know we try 24 hours a day to lower our numbers and the doctors make comments like we aren’t doing anything, so this is frustrating. I keep wondering if I move to Davao will I have to go back to the u.s. for any eye treatment.
I see no reason to go back to the US for eye treatment. Excellent equipment here, and great doctors too. I have had excellent health care here.
Gooc luck to you, Marc.
Good luck and I hope your vision stays with you for many years to come. May I ask what your blood sugars and A1C run? I am also diabetic and have had the screening for Diabetic Retinopathy.
Hi Kerry – This morning, my fasting blood glucose was 108, well withing normal control.
Good luck to you.
Hello Bob:
I’ll wait for the next installment. I trust things continue to improve as much as possible.
With the disclaimer that everyone is different and I am not a medical doctor and don’t even play one on TV, I will say that my step-sister (from Laos – so Philippine eyes would be similar to hers) has had that treatment for the same problem. She was very discouraged because it wasn’t improving as she expected.
It turns out that her expectations were for a much more rapid improvement. 8 months after the treatment, in her situation, the blood in her eyes is slowly disappearing and she is able to see more clearly. Her eyes still need the same correction as she had formerly needed.
I trust in time you might have the same success.
Hi LeRoy – Yes, I remember we talked on the phone about your step sister, and I appreciate the information you shared with me.
Tomorrow’s article will explain much more, but let me just say that I got good news and bad… unfortunately, mostly bad, though. There are still options, but serious options.
Bob,
I’m sorry to hear about your vision. As a nurse I cared for many diabetics with Diabetic Retinopathy, foot neuropathy, and all the other diabetic problems.
I am blind in right eye now and grey blurry vision in left, but as you say in the article, I have the Cataracts and will have Cataracts changed at the hospital in about a week.
I hope and pray that you can get a lot better and keep the vision. Anything I could add would only be a repeat of what I’m sure the doctors have already told you.
Take care of yourself my friend. I miss you and all my friends and hope to come back when all my health issues are resolved.
Kenneth
Thanks, Kenneth, and good luck to you.
Bob my prayers are with you that you can keep it under control. Thanks for sharing this information. Maybe it will save some one else from suffering the too high settings. I mentioned to my Nephew once that his welder needed to get a welding helmet so that he wouldn’t ruin his eyes. He said to me that the guy had been welding for 20 years with the sun glass lens and it hadn’t effected him yet. Now after reading your post I know why. Here is hoping you have stopped the deterioration.
Hi Loren – Thanks! Actually, I have done very well in controlling the diabetes for the past 2 years or so, but the damage had been done.
I appreciate your kind words.
Wow. Praying things go well in your continued treatments.
Thank you, Byron.
Hi Bob,
I know what you are going through with Diabetic Retinopathy. My ex-wife had that done several times in 2000 to 2002. And I know she has had treatments since we divorced. And I think its still the same treatment as it has always been. It was a little painful for her because they had to turn up the power because she has brown eyes. She told me it was the worst thing she has ever had done. And she has had several surgeries to compare it with. So I have to agree with you there is no reason to go back to the US for treatments. Same treatment done with the same type of device and no long plane ride to get charge quadruple by the doctor. I just don’t understand why anyone would move to a country that has no confidence in the services available there.
You are in our thoughts and prayers Bob. Hope everything turns out well for you.
Hi Scott. Thank you for your kind words and information. They are much appreciated.
Perhaps a few names and numbers here or in private would help as far as having a list of doctors in Davao would give me a little better feeling of security. I have taken three trips so far to Davao. I want to learn about myself and comfort level there, devoted to helping my gf, but not thinking of taking her away from family to the states.
Hi Marc. If I can help you I will be happy to do so. Let me know what types of doctors you are looking for and if I have info I will be glad to share it.
Good Luck.
Thanks
Hi Bob
I knew that you said that you were having trouble with your vision, but was not aware of the seriousness of it. I’m was familiar with that diabetic condition until now, but am sorry to hear that you’re having to deal with it.
I hope that you come to a better outcome, and I’ll wait to hear more too like everyone else. In the mean time, take care, and I’ll be thinking good thoughts for you.
Queenie
Thank you, Queenie. I appreciate your thoughts. I have come to accept my plight, and can only work hard to keep a positive attitude and work toward maintaining the best health that I can.
was not familiar with that condition I meant.
Took me a couple of reads, but I figured out what you meant!
Pretty scary to hear of what you have shared. I hope the doctors can get it under control and you can live as you always have. Our health is the most important thing we have. I wish you the best of luck with your treatments.
Thank you Mike. I appreciate that.
Hope the best for you Bob!
Thanks, Jim, I appreciate it.
I didn’t know things were so serious, but I am glad you are getting good care.
Sending out happy thoughts to you.
I appreciate that very much, Jason. I believe in the power of good/happy thoughts and such, so thank you for your gift.
Best of luck to you, Bob! You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you Bill.
The best surgeons for any kind of surgery are the ones who also teach at university… period!
I agree with you about that Palawan Bob. If I ever need medical surgery here, I’ll go to one of the Doctors’ University hospitals for the most experienced doctors, best facilities and equipment.
Always a good strategy!
Funny that you should mention that PalawanBob. My chief eye doctor that I am using is indeed a University Professor in the area of eye health.
Lucky you!
A friend just got detached retina. Went to see the doctor and got operated… he got a botched operation with 50% vision left.
It was a young inexperienced doctor pretending he successfully operated many patients before.
When my friend discovered that the doctor only had three patients before him, he was crying… it was too late.
Sorry for this experience if your friend.
Sir, kindly check inbox. Sent some queries. Thank you.
I have received no emails from you Jasmin. Where did you send it to?
Bob i sent a message minutes ago about some questions po
As I said, I have received nothing from you. Did you send it through Facebook? Mh personal email? Through my blog? One of my FB pages? I have checked all of these and have no message from you.
Facebook messenger Sir. It probably went to new message request Sir because we are not FB friends.
I know all about message request. I get hundreds of messages each day. I have nothing from you.
I’ll just resend them po again
Hi Bob,
Sorry to hear of your ailment, Bob. You are a stand up guy! In my thoughts and prayers!
Peace
Jay
Thank you very much, Jay.
Oh Boy!! 2 peas in a pod sort of……4 days ago I started getting what they call a “Floater “…in my right eye…Like a cigarette smoke in a circle…I researched it and found that nothing could be done about this condition I also called a top notch eye doctor in Cebu and he gave me the same answer…They sometimes just disappear again in time..I have taken numerous test the past 2 months just to check up on myself and everything is fine…However I have not taken a diabetes test…which is what I m going to do this morning or Monday ….. if the clinic is closed today..You have diabetes …right?…..If so, I need to take that test to see if I have it or not…might turn out to be something more serious than a floater God Bless Bobby
Hi Lenny – I have had diabetes for about 25 years now. It is a killer disease, literally. If it turns out that you have diabetes, take care of yourself! Don’t ignore it like I did for a long time. Good luck to you!
Hi Bob, best of luck with your treatments and I hope you get better soon fingers crossed,
Derek in pasig.
Thanks. More info tomorrow.
Saying prayers, my brother.
Thank you Jeff
Thanks Bob for sharing your experience with us; I can remember some sort of eye exercise method originating in India which allowed people needing eye glasses to eventually improve their eyesight enough not to need eye glasses so maybe there are alternatives which can enhance sight and health to one’s eyes. Yesterday we had an emergency with my almost 69 year old brother-in-law, Nino who I drove in a rush to ST Luke’s Hospital in gridlock traffic and for the hour it took to get him there we were not sure how serious it was as we couldn’t talk and only grunted when we kept talking to keep him awake and stop him for falling asleep. Finally he moved his left arm and was able to smile and give me eye contact so I was fairly sure he’d be ok. Aging isn’t for weaklings and those of us who are loving life have to realize that as death follows us like a shadow we better change some of our habits or die younger then necessary.
Hi Bill, wow, i hope your brother in law will be OK, good luck to him.
Unfortunately, as far as I know there is not kind of alternative miracle cure for what I have, but I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
Thanks for this post Bob. I’ve had type 2 diabetes or ten years or so but have done nothing about it other than to take a little daily exercise and keep off sweet anythings. However, your words about ignoring the symptoms for too long have spurred me to action and I’ll be off to get a proper check-up and medical advice on Monday morning!
Hey Malcolm… I am not preaching to you, and I don’t think you’ll take it that way, I am speaking to you as a fellow diabetic who knows what you are going through… don’t ignore it! All of the plans that you have in your mind now, follow through! You don’t want to go blind, lose a limb or anything else! Good luck!
Bob, I would like you to consider this. Vessel leakage,,,,capillary breakage, like bruising is simply though painfully scurvy. It doesn’t matter if of the eye or a bruise on the arm. As far as cataracts, though not the issue in fact as your note describes is proven focal scurvy of the eye. Diabetes from head to toe has direct correlation to vitamin C deficiency as well as systemic fungal issues as the two top diabetic drugs are actually anti-fungals, of which vitamin C among many others eliminates. Bottom line serious eye nutrients are in order orally and topically with hihgh vitamin C dose eye drops and oral intakes along with zinc, vitamin A, B and others. If interested, just message me with questions. Blessings.
Let me add here, though from biblical texts, few would doubt, believer or not. Jesus sweat blood… under stress as well as deficiencies, focal scurvy (see Dr. Thomas Levy) the capillaries will “leak” be that into the sweat glands or the eyes or anywhere else. Vitamin C holds the tissues, cells, vessels together building collagen for skin, vessel, organ, ect., integrity. You CAN reverse or at least stop the damage from oxidization from diabetes while repairing vessels via vit c collagen while adding much needed anti-oxidants directly into the eye as well as the blood stream via oral intake. There are other things you can add to eye drops like glutathione, DMSO and others but C should be readily available. PS: What I am doing here for you is what I hope to do for many for them and my family. Blessings, Todd A. Beck
Thanks for your input.
Hang in there Bob. I have some ongoing eye problems and was thinking I should be in Davao for better care. You are in a good place for treatment…
Thank you Nick. Good luck with your eye issues!
Bob
I’m glad to hear you’re doing better. I also have eye problems, but nothing as serious as what you had. This is giving me pause, because when I retire there in several years, perhaps I better stick close to a big city like Davao instead of Bukidnon.
Hi Hudson – Let me make it clear.. I have more serious problems (that I know about now) than I did before I started these treatments, so I am definitely not over this. More info on this tomorrow.
If you have medical problems of any kind, living out in the Province of Bukidnon could be a death sentence. Living in a major city like davao is something that I would highly recommend for you.
God Bless you Bob. I just said a pray for you. I hope things turn out for the best.
Rusty
Thank you for that? RUSTY.
Bob,
Praying that all goes well with you in the future. I take diabetes seriously even though i’m not a diabetic. I watch my sugar/carb intake because diabetes is the disease i dread the most. A side affect is i’ve lost weight lol. Just continue to stay positive and everything will work out just fine
Thanks Papa duck I appreciate your kindness.
Best wish & best of to you Bob. Hope everything turns out well fr u.
…& best of luck…
Salamat!
I hope so too, Mohamed. Thank you!
Hi Bob,
I am very sorry to learn of your eyesight condition. I hope you can experience the best possible outcome from your medical treatments there. From your description and from my own personal experience and research, I am quite confident that you will experience the excellence in care as you have described it.
Thank you Bob. I hope so too.