Why care for your eyes? Diabetes can affect vision and if severe can lead to blindness. It is preventable It is treatable It may be present at diagnosis in Type 2 Diabetes
RISK FACTORS FOR EYE DISEASE
include High Blood glucose levels High blood pressure High cholesterol Smoking Can all contribute to eye disease so try to keep good control of your sugars less than 7% and your BP less than 140/80) Speak to your diabetes team to help manage these targets.
RETINAL SCREENING – ANNUAL REVIEW
Regular annual eye examinations or screening are extremely important to detect both, eye problems associated with diabetes and unconnected conditions your eyesight. Make sure your eyes are checked at least once a year so any problems can be picked up and treated early. This can only be detected by a detailed examination of the eye including eye photography by your optometrist or eye clinic.
You may not realise that there is anything wrong with your eyes until it is too late. If you notice changes with your eyesight, you should contact your optician or eye clinic.
N.B. Eye examinations are free for people with diabetes and are exempt from most charges with in General Ophthalmic Services.
THE DIABETIC EYE SCREENING SERVICE FOR LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND
This is a mobile screening unit that makes appointments with GP surgeries to attend yearly to perform retinal screening for the diabetes patients with in the surgery. You will be notified by your GP if you are needed to attend the mobile eye screening unit. (This will be at the GP surgery)
WHY DO YOU NEED TO COME TO THE SCREENING SERVICE
Most sight loss from diabetes can be prevented if detected early.
Early eye disease may be halted by improved treatment of diabetes and by laser treatment at the eye clinic if necessary. Laser treatment aims to preserve the sight, not to improve it, so early detection before symptoms is important.
Photographic screening is the most reliable means of detecting early damage. However, no screening process can be 100% reliable and the screening service cannot advise on other aspects of eye care. You will need to continue seeing your Optometrist/Optician.
The screening service is continually monitored to meet the national quality Standards.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE APPOINTMENT?
When you arrive at your GP practice you will need to report to reception. You will then see the diabetic retinal screener who will ask you some questions about your diabetes. They will then check your vision using an eye chart, and put drops into your eyes to dilate the pupils.
These drops take 20 minutes to work and will slightly blur the vision for a few hours before returning to normal. Once your pupils have dilated your eyes will be photographed. a special camera is used with a flash, but it does not touch or hurt your eyes. It will take about 45 minutes.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOUR EYES HAVE BEEN PHOTOGRAPHED?
The photographs will be reviewed by trained retinal screener, under the supervision of an eye specialist. Both you and your GP will be notified of the results by post 1 month later. If significant changes are found or the photographs are difficult to interpret, you will be asked to attend an eye outpatient clinic at the Leicester Royal Infirmary
REMEMBER
It is important that you attend your appointment. If you cannot attend you must inform your GP practice so alternative arrangements can be made. You may not need to come if you attend a hospital eye clinic.
Remember to take any glasses that you have to every eye appointment.
Retinal Screening Service contact number 0116 258 6876
