Comprehensive Eye Exams - It's Not Just for Type 1 Diabetes

Not sure what I was thinking when I scheduled both of these appointments, but this morning (after a long night of trick-or-treating), both girls had their annual Comprehensive Eye Exams.

For the most part, if you have ever had your eyes checked, the process is very familiar.  You go into a dark room, sit in a comfy chair and wait for the eye chart to be presented.  After a minute of fussing and looking, the doctor asks you to read the chart to see how much (or conversely how little) you can read.

Easy peasy stuff.

Then comes the dreaded dilating drops.  Our kind doctor offers a drop of numbing ointment in each eye prior to starting the dilations.  Other than being uncomfortable with a gooey set of eyes, both girls said it wasn't terrible.

Then you are basically done and back on your way.  There really is nothing to it!

Except with this optometrist, we also take advantage of a retina screening.  In this futuristic digital exam, the doctor takes a picture of the eye so that he can view both the back of the eye and the nerves.  This type of wellness exam can isolate abnormalities or disease right at the start.  In that way, having unchecked blood sugars will not go unnoticed (think teen or college years) and the optometrist can help point out issues before severe damage occurs.  

You know how I love a team to help us with type 1 diabetes?  Well, add our eye doctor to that list. 

While the girls were oogling their eye ball pictures (which to me looked like a giant jellyfish), he nicely explained where he would see damage if they stopped taking control of their blood sugars.  With wide eyes, both girls solemnly shook their heads and said that 'would NEVER happen'. 

Now, I don't know if that will be true, but I loved the idea of listening to those wise words from another person besides mom.  Even if you think they might not be listening, trust me, they are.

And one last little reward of having an eye exam?  For one youngest daughter, it was the ability to pick out a brand-new pair of glasses.  As I watched history repeat itself - wasn't I just ten years-old and picking out my first pair of glasses - she chose a shiny metallic pair with a pretty pink inlay on the sides. 

Unlike my ten year-old self, she confidently and happily wanted to wear them immediately! 

That must mean that we are doing something right!

The Appointment

Our quarterly endocrinology appointment date is looming closer on the calendar.

The good school girl in me is starting to think about prepping.

I know, I am a total suck-up, right?

It's just that I can't stand to get there and feel like I didn't do my part to help the girls achieve their best.  And if that means that I print off some office paper work and have it ready to go before we arrive, than that's what I need to do.

In an effort to make my madness rub off onto you, here is my top five of things to do before you go (and you do know that I am doing this list for me just as much as I am to share! It's a sickness, people!)

Top Five Of Prepping for Endo Appointments

1.)  Download your pump settings and blood sugar numbers.
2.)  Review your prescriptions to determine which need to be updated.  Be sure to bring along the pharmacy name, phone and fax number.
3.)  Download and pre-fill the medical forms for the office.
4.)  Write a list of questions for the dietician, nurse, doctor and/or lab.
5.)  Pack a bag of things for the children to do while you are at the appointment.  Be sure to include a blood sugar meter, snacks and water.

Hope this helps to get you off to your appointment with less worry, anxiety or stress. 

As always, one last nugget of information that I carry with me for every single appointment: 

The A1c is just one measurement number, from one moment during three months and reflects nothing of how well you tried to do as a parent or as a child/adult living with type 1 diabetes.  It is subject to change and absolutely will during your journey of living with type 1 diabetes.  Rather than focus entirely on the A1c number, instead use it as a gauge to determine the direction that you are heading and to remind you of what goals you need to set in order to get where you want to be.

If you pack only one thing, be sure to bring along that thought!

Trick Or Treating - My How Far We Have Come

My thoughts about Halloween have changed drastically over the years.

I might have even come full circle. 

All I am thinking about now, is the delight in being able to restock my 'low blood sugar' pantry supplies.




From the Naturally Sweet Sisters, Happy Halloween!