Motoring Discussion > Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: L'escargot	Replies: 38

Fri 17 Aug 12 12:49   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - L'escargot

I've only had one diabetic retinopathy test before and I followed the advice not to drive within two hours of having the test. It was a really sunny day and, wearing prescription sunglasses, I had no problem whatsoever as a passenger. At the time I felt that I would have been quite safe driving immediately after the test. (For what it's worth, the test didn't show up any problems relating to my borderline diabetes.) I've now got a another appointment, and I'm wondering whether to drive myself the two miles home from the test location. Has any Car4player driven immediately after a diabetic retinopathy test? Last edited by: L'escargot on Fri 17 Aug 12 at 12:50 Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 17 Aug 12 12:54   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - IJWS14

I have not had the test, my wife has. She was struggling to focus after the test, had taken the advice and engaged a chauffeur (me). I wouldn't. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 17 Aug 12 12:59   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Falkirk Bairn

Advised by hospital not to drive! You go against advice and Accident on way home you could be charged with an offence and Ins co could refuse to pay........if they found out. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 17 Aug 12 13:14   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Mr. Ecs

I've had the test over the last two years. Advised not to drive. Don't do it. Found especially late afternoon darkness in winter, star burst effect with street and car lights. Slight blurred vision. Wears off after a couple of hours so not worth the risk L'es. Always get other half to pick me up. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 17 Aug 12 13:42   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - VxFan

>> Has any Car4player driven immediately after a diabetic retinopathy test? Yes, every year since I started having them. It only affects my short range vision. i.e the station name on the stereo is slightly blurred but still just about readable. From the end of the bonnet onwards it's been fine. I can still read a numberplate at the legal distance, and all streetsigns, etc. Everyone is different though. Don't risk it if you feel you're a hazzard to others. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 17 Aug 12 14:15   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Cliff Pope

My wife has had several retinopathy tests, and I have, I think, always collected her. It's only 3 miles away from a rural practice, and we have been tempted to ignore the advice out of convenience. I have a feeling that perhaps she did drive home the last time, but not immediately. She did some shopping and had tea in a cafe, then drove home very carefully. But these are rural roads you can't do more than 20 mph anyway. The danger must always be that the subject herself is not in the best position to judge ability - alcohol being the prime example of that fallacy. And diabetes itself sometimes gives a dangerous illusion of capability. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 17 Aug 12 14:24   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Lygonos

Don't do it. The drops they use to dilate your pupils affect focussing ability and make it easier to be dazzled. You can probably get away with it but not really worth it for the sake of 3 or 4 hours. As VX says distance focus isn't affected so much, but if you try looking at the speedo, then at the traffic, then in mirror, then at traffic, then at speedo.... you might not be quite so awesome, Cause a crash and I'll hear your insurer laughing up here. Last edited by: Lygonos on Fri 17 Aug 12 at 14:26 Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 17 Aug 12 15:10   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - zookeeper

my second retinopathy didnt require drops.....new camera technology. i was in and out of the clinic within 5 mins , my first visit after diabetes diagnosis did however require the drops.....i dont know what all the panic was about, wear sunglasses dont drive....load of nonscence Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 17 Aug 12 15:19   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - devonite

Good grief! - you give your missus a Tanner for her birthday, and wont "Splash-out" a couple of Bob for a 2 mile Taxi ride! - You Sir, are man after my own heart! ;-) Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 17 Aug 12 15:39   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Clk Sec

>> wont "Splash-out" a couple of Bob for a 2 mile Taxi ride! Perhaps taxis in L'escargo's neck of the woods are as scarce as buses. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 18 Aug 12 07:15   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - L'escargot

>> Perhaps taxis in L'escargot's neck of the woods are as scarce as buses. >> The only time they are difficult to get is when they are tied up taking schoolchildren to or from school. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 17 Aug 12 16:12   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - VxFan

>> Yes, every year since I started having them. Correction. Not the 1st year. I got a lift into town by my dad, then caught the bus home. Trouble was I couldn't read the bus timetable on the lamp post but knew I had to catch the number 32. Fortunately the bus driver confirmed it was the correct bus for my destination. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 17 Aug 12 20:02   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Runfer D'Hills

At the ( hopefully slight ) risk of offence Dave. You have at least alluded to the possibility that you er, um, carry weight? Have you looked into losing a bit to maybe counteract some elements of the diabetes? Please don't take this as jibing, it's a serious and possibly ever so slightly helpful and or gentle nudge in a positive direction. Oh Jeez I've got that so wrong haven't I ? Not meant that way honest.... Ignore me !!!! Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 17 Aug 12 20:21   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Lygonos

What Humphster means is that if you have type 2 diabetes and are a lardo, the most effective treatment BAR NONE to reduce complications and avoid ending up needing increasing amounts of medication... is to lose blubber. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 17 Aug 12 20:52   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Clk Sec

Your bedside manner is a credit to you, Lygonos. Reply to this message | Report message       2

Fri 17 Aug 12 20:53   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Lygonos

It really has improved with age. Like fine morphine. It's not a joke though - keep being a lardo and the diabetes will worsen over time - shift the extra 3 or 4 stones and watch it possibly disappear, or at least certainly improve (along with the high blood pressure and cholesterol). Last edited by: Lygonos on Fri 17 Aug 12 at 20:56 Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 17 Aug 12 21:23   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - zookeeper

im 52 and 12 stone wet through i have the blood pressure of an 18 year old, but have type two diabetes mellitus...its gunna get me in the end...just like old age Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 17 Aug 12 21:32   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Lygonos

12 stone's a lot when you are only 4ft tall. Seriously tho, type 2 diabetes is a common illness - there is a very strong genetic element attached to it - there are many factors at work that lead to it developing - poor lifestyle choices help to bring it on for the majority, but for some it is inevitable. In the same vein - smokers are far more likely to get lung cancer, but non-smokers do get it too. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 17 Aug 12 22:18   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Fullchat

'Your bedside manner is a credit to you, Lygonos.' :))) Last edited by: Fullchat on Fri 17 Aug 12 at 22:19 Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 17 Aug 12 22:55   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Manatee

Pal of mine 'cured' his diabetes by losing weight. He's 86 now so it isn't always a ticket to falling off the perch early. I do realise it can be serious. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 18 Aug 12 00:28   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - VxFan

>> At the ( hopefully slight ) risk of offence Dave. No offence taken Humph. I've been nagged most of my life by doctors, etc. I just switch off after a while. At the moment my blood pressure is fine, my blood/sugar is fine, and my cholestrol level is fine. I get regular 6 month check ups. Granted my blood/sugar level did rise, but touch wood it's back below 7 now - it was at my last check up. I'll find out on Monday when I get my next set of results back from my recent donation of the red stuff. Way I look at it is, If I don't eat I'll die. If I eat I'll die. I might as well eat what I enjoy and be damn well happy rather than starve or eat rabbit food and be miserable. Last edited by: VxFan on Sat 18 Aug 12 at 00:29 Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 18 Aug 12 07:02   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Lygonos

Ah the good old fatalist attitude that helps to keep Scotland the heart disease capital of the Solar System. Just admit that you enjoy eating crap more than looking after yourself and save the philosophical tripe. No need to eat "rabbit food" - just don't eat so much rubbish/cheese/piles of starch/peanuts/packets of guff etc. No-one lives for ever but diabetes complications aren't just death - add in blindness, kidney failure, and having bits of foot removed. I haven't met a man (and it's usually men who manage it) with diabetes who lost a few stone who feels the effort not worthwhile - they are fitter and happier and come to see me less (result!). And whoever created 'energy drinks' should be burned at the stake. ;-) Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 18 Aug 12 07:47   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Dog

>>Way I look at it is, If I don't eat I'll die. If I eat I'll die. I might as well eat what I enjoy and be damn well happy rather than starve or eat rabbit food and be miserable<< That's right DD, y'all could lose 30 stone, be all nice n' silth-like, and still get knocked down by a serial bus. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 18 Aug 12 08:23   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Lygonos

True, and the driver is more likely to see you if you resemble Bibendum. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 18 Aug 12 09:16   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Dog

I've never heard Michelin Man referred to as Bibendum b4 (strange, but true!) Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 18 Aug 12 09:22   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - WillDeBeest

Monsieur Bibendum, s'il vous plaît. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 18 Aug 12 09:29   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - L'escargot

>> I've never heard Michelin Man referred to as Bibendum b4 (strange, but true!) >> Sacré bleu et zut alors. You'll have to get out more! tinyurl.com/ch88kmz Last edited by: L'escargot on Sat 18 Aug 12 at 09:33 Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 18 Aug 12 09:47   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - devonite

There was a "Study" published a couple of days ago, (by Experts no less!) that declared eating Egg-yolks was as bad for you as Smoking!! - who the heck is going to be on 20 Yolks a day? Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 18 Aug 12 10:30   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Dog

>>Egg-yolks was as bad for you as Smoking<< Ah yes: Spence JD, et al. Egg yolk consumption and carotid plaque. Circulation epub 31 July 2012 = taurus excretum. Reply to this message | Report message       1

Sat 18 Aug 12 13:44   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - L'escargot

>> .............. who the heck is going to be on 20 Yolks a day? >> Cool Hand Luke ate 50 hard boiled eggs in an hour. tinyurl.com/bpxhzt5 Last edited by: L'escargot on Sat 18 Aug 12 at 13:45 Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 18 Aug 12 14:23   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Dog

How's about 32 eggs in one minute: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEsAANvuUEE&feature=related Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 18 Aug 12 16:40   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - L'escargot

>> How's about 32 eggs in one minute: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEsAANvuUEE&feature=related Cool Hand Takeru. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 18 Aug 12 10:23   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Dog

Magnifico building, I used to cop eyes on it in the 70's when I was driving around in a Bedford TK. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 18 Aug 12 10:32   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Clk Sec

Have you been on the Vimto again, Dog? :) Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 18 Aug 12 10:48   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Dog

Don't be cheeky C/S en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheeky_Vimto :} Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 18 Aug 12 11:01   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Avant

"....who the heck is going to be on 20 Yolks a day? " Someone driving a Yolkswagen. Reply to this message | Report message       1

Sat 18 Aug 12 11:03   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - CGNorwich

Wouldn't shell out for one of those. Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 18 Aug 12 11:08   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - Clk Sec

They're a cracking car, though. Last edited by: Clk Sec on Sat 18 Aug 12 at 11:08 Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 18 Aug 12 14:03   Driving soon after a diabetic retinopathy test - L'escargot

>> They're a cracking car, though. >> You must be yolking! Reply to this message | Report message