Diabetic Screening

It is vitally important that all diabetics have their eyes examined annually. This applies regardless of whether the diabetes is diet, tablet or insulin controlled.

When diabetes affects the eye, it causes changes to the tiny blood vessels on the retina at the back of the eye. This condition is termed diabetic retinopathy.

In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy your vision is unlikely to change, but if it does progress your eyesight could potentially be at risk.

As part of an ongoing commitment to reduce the incidence of diabetic retinopathy and to treat it at the appropriate time, new National Standards have been introduced to ensure that all diabetics are invited annually to have the back of the eye photographed using a Digital Retinal camera.

Our practice was very closely involved in the implementation of this excellent new service into Ayrshire and all of our optometrists are officially accredited and trained to carry out this work.

During the test we use an eyedrop to enlarge the pupil to ensure that a good quality photograph of the retina can be obtained. The digital images are assessed immediately and a decision made by your optometrist whether the results are normal or if a referral to the Hospital Eye Service for further investigation is necessary.

This comprehensive new screening service is fully quality controlled for accuracy.

In addition to the diabetic screening, a full eye examination is also carried out on an annual basis to ensure that the eyes are healthy in other respects.

Useful website: Diabetes UK: www.diabetes.org.uk