derekd419
New member
Disclaimer: This is not to put fear into anyone, this is just me sharing my experience.
Okay for starters, I'm a type 1 diabetic. I started on Tirz 8 months ago, & switched to Reta in May. I had floaters in my right eye back in March. Got it checked out & the eye specialist confirmed I have diabetic retinopathy, which is all new to me. I've been diabetic around 25 years now, pretty poorly under control until 2 years ago when I finally got a pump & CGM system. Since then, A1C went from a 13 to a nice 6.7 as of literally today at my endo appointment. For starters - Yes, there is a chance GLP-1's can cause vitreous hemorrhages & retinal detachment. No - I am not saying for sure that's why I have a vitreous hemorrhage right now. I am however saying it's a huge possibility. My endo told me today to absolutely not stop taking my GLP (she thinks I'm still on zepbound, I don't think it's a good idea to mention Reta to her for obvious reasons, this may be a mistake but it's all on me at the end of the day) and that she doesn't believe GLP's caused this eye issue because of how I've gradually lowered my A1C over a longer period of time, & that GLP's usually cause eye problems when you have a huge rapid drop in A1C levels.
I'm conflicted, GLP's have changed my life for the better in so many ways. I'm 80 pounds down, in October 2025 I was 272 lbs. and I'm currently 190 lbs. today. My A1C is 6.7 with a goal of 6.4. My eating habits are perfect, I have better energy, confidence is returning. Then this eye thing happens and totally threw a wrench into my progress. Mentally I am fine, My vision in the affected eye has actually improved since last Wednesday when it occured. I couldnt see anything days 1 and 2, but now I can see faces again, and I test it by having people hold fingers up to see if I'm able to see & guess correctly & I'm able to now. I have surgery next Thursday, they're going to remove the blood & laser the vessels so they don't bleed again. 0.03% chance I lose my vision in that eye permanently, so I'm confident everything will be okay.
I've made the choice to continue my Reta from my endo's advice. I do want to get a second opinion this week though.
To my type 1's on tirz or reta, PLEASE make an eye doctor appointment, even if you feel as if you have perfect eye sight. If you can catch warning signs early enough, they can inject a medicine into your eyes that will prevent hemorrhages and retinal detachment in the future. It's better safe than sorry, just in case.
Okay for starters, I'm a type 1 diabetic. I started on Tirz 8 months ago, & switched to Reta in May. I had floaters in my right eye back in March. Got it checked out & the eye specialist confirmed I have diabetic retinopathy, which is all new to me. I've been diabetic around 25 years now, pretty poorly under control until 2 years ago when I finally got a pump & CGM system. Since then, A1C went from a 13 to a nice 6.7 as of literally today at my endo appointment. For starters - Yes, there is a chance GLP-1's can cause vitreous hemorrhages & retinal detachment. No - I am not saying for sure that's why I have a vitreous hemorrhage right now. I am however saying it's a huge possibility. My endo told me today to absolutely not stop taking my GLP (she thinks I'm still on zepbound, I don't think it's a good idea to mention Reta to her for obvious reasons, this may be a mistake but it's all on me at the end of the day) and that she doesn't believe GLP's caused this eye issue because of how I've gradually lowered my A1C over a longer period of time, & that GLP's usually cause eye problems when you have a huge rapid drop in A1C levels.
I'm conflicted, GLP's have changed my life for the better in so many ways. I'm 80 pounds down, in October 2025 I was 272 lbs. and I'm currently 190 lbs. today. My A1C is 6.7 with a goal of 6.4. My eating habits are perfect, I have better energy, confidence is returning. Then this eye thing happens and totally threw a wrench into my progress. Mentally I am fine, My vision in the affected eye has actually improved since last Wednesday when it occured. I couldnt see anything days 1 and 2, but now I can see faces again, and I test it by having people hold fingers up to see if I'm able to see & guess correctly & I'm able to now. I have surgery next Thursday, they're going to remove the blood & laser the vessels so they don't bleed again. 0.03% chance I lose my vision in that eye permanently, so I'm confident everything will be okay.
I've made the choice to continue my Reta from my endo's advice. I do want to get a second opinion this week though.
To my type 1's on tirz or reta, PLEASE make an eye doctor appointment, even if you feel as if you have perfect eye sight. If you can catch warning signs early enough, they can inject a medicine into your eyes that will prevent hemorrhages and retinal detachment in the future. It's better safe than sorry, just in case.
