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diabetic retinopathy screening

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Knitfc78

Knitfc78

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
last eye screening done in october 2019 so due now, but have been informed these won't be done until next year due to covid, i live in east suffolk, does anyone else have a the same situation in their area? thankyou
 
This seems to vary per area. My retinal screening was only delayed by a few months (in Wiltshire and Somerset area).
Unfortunately, it meant the screening was in the summer instead of in early Spring so it was VERY bright when I had my drops in but at least I didn't look silly wearing sunglasses on a gloomy day.
 
Yes, there was another thread about it the other day.

Mine is a few weeks overdue so I rang up and was told apologetically that they are only seeing people who have eye problems, and that as my results have been normal so far then they would contact me next year (I'm in London).
 
Due in July. Heard nothing.
 
I believe my area has just restarted these appointments and people are being contacted via letter. It is going to be area specific though.
 
Knitfc78 said:
last eye screening done in october 2019 so due now, but have been informed these won't be done until next year due to covid, i live in east suffolk, does anyone else have a the same situation in their area? thankyou
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I am in Essex, I should have had mine in April had the appointment letter letter though at the time indid not think it would go ahead, I then received the letter cancelling. My area have information on the Retinal Screening website, that they are prioritising those who have been newly diagnosed, pregnant and those at risk. Those who have had no previous problems are being left to next year. There has been talk of reducing those with no early signs to every 2 years.
You could check the screening site for your area or give them a ring.
 
I live in London and mine was done in May or June I think. It wasn't delayed at all. It was my first screening appointment so maybe that has something to do with why it went ahead as planned as they had no baseline for me.
 
ColinUK said:
I live in London and mine was done in May or June I think. It wasn't delayed at all. It was my first screening appointment so maybe that has something to do with why it went ahead as planned as they had no baseline for me.
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I think you are in one of the groups they have prioritised.
 
grovesy said:
I think you are in one of the groups they have prioritised.
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Makes sense as I was newly diagnosed. I'm guessing they'd want to see what was going on so that they could treat accordingly if required.
 
My screening was April last year. This year it was several months later. (No info or explanation.) I expect there's a backlock. So those that would have been due at the end of the year will slide to next year.
 
grovesy said:
Yes but are you not reveresed?
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That wasn't the reason as such.
It was being done to all those with previous clear results and at low risk.
I never had problems previously, but I do agree, I'm probably as low risk as they come.
 
I had a letter (in between lockdown and now but can't recall exactly when) saying as no probs in partic (only background retinopathy) they wouldn't see me this year but would see me next. Just had my 'ordinary' sight test at Asda and they now do retinal photos (but no drops so not as detailed) and she said because of me not getting retinopathy every year, they are telling these persons to have an ordinary eye test every 12 months rather than the 2 years interval most of us are told to leave 'unless we have problems with our sight'.

(That gets silly anyway when you do have a prob cos the receptionists don't fall over themselves booking them - in the finish I said Look! - I'm not interested who needs to pay for it! I want the optician to check my eyes cos I reckon my second cataract needs sorting now. If he doesn't agree with me once he's had a look, that's fair enough, OK and I'll pay for it - you will not lose out monetarily. Aaagghh. I was right, anyway LOL Only you actually know when you can't see as well as you used to - I had lost peripheral vision. I scared myself driving at dusk or later - so God help any passengers)

Anyway - FWIW she could only find retinopathy in my left eye, right at the outer periphery, exactly as it has been since approx. 1998.
 
If they don't actually completely obliterate your name from the register, since just because it's reversed at the moment, there's no guarantee it will remain reversed until you shuffle off your mortal coil (you've displayed carb intolerance in the past, reversal does not equal 'cure') I think you probably stay on the retinal screening list.
 
Had a general call with GP two weeks ago and mentioned last retinopathy was 18 months ago. She contacted the county retinopathy service and sent me a text to say retinopathy services had restarted. Called my usual optician and they were not offering the service as the optician that did them was staying in a different branch due to COVID. Phoned another optician and had the retinopathy 2 days later. Expect the result this week.
 
My daughter's was due in July and we had a letter about then saying that as her last one was normal the next one will be delayed until at least next May. Fair enough they are prioritising people who actually need help until they can catch up. Daughter had an eye test at a high street opticians in the meantime, as she wears glasses and was due a new pair, and they were happy and didn’t notice anything to be alarmed about. So all good for us.
 
I’ve just had one last week (my third this year due to pregnancy).

It detected background retinopathy again as my last one did two weeks after giving birth. I’m convinced it was due to pushing a baby out and every blood vessel in my face, neck, shoulders snd arms bursting in the process not the diabetes as I had no problems two months prior and had excellent control and an hba1c of 35!
No action needed and another test due next august apparently.
 
... not with drops admittedly, just the photos at the opticians but she could only find the same as what was there in 1998 !
 
I live up north. Were already delayed. Can see them being delayed even further. I had an eye test 2 weeks ago, been referred to the eye hospital. "Nothing to worry about he says" anyway got an appointment for november and it seems i will be having the drops in as i was told the usual bring sunglasses get someone to drive you etc...Not how i wouldv've liked to have my retinopathy screen. But hey it is what it is.
 
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