Hi,
I'm 27, and got late-onset type 1 diabetes when I was 25. At my last endocrinologist visit, I was told diabetic retinopathy takes at least 5 years, but I've had some vision changes I'm concerned about.

I've been seeing increased floaters in my vision and rather large ones at that. They're not "crystal" floaters but appear in bright sunlight as transparent dark lines... and in dimly lit rooms, when they move over light, they appear white.

A couple days ago I was driving at night and might have seen a flash, but it also could have been lightning in the sky off in the distance--I'm not sure. Since then I haven't seen any obvious flashes but have been questioning whether I'm seeing small, barely visual ones.

I made an appointment for a diabetic eye exam and the soonest I could get in to an ophthalmologist who takes my insurance is in 2 1/2 weeks. Is this too long to wait? I'll definitely pay out of pocket for an exam if scheduling sooner could save my vision.

Thanks a ton
Drew