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Eye Exam at Hospital

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G

Graeme

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I have my Diabetic Eye Screening appointment at the hospital next week, my first one.

I've noticed it mentions that I get eye drops and my vision could be blurred for several hours. I'm guessing that is just a precautionary advisory and not what will happen? I'm guessing it's slightly different from my eye tests at the opticians!?! :confused:

G
 
Hi Graeme, don't confuse this with an ordinary optician's appointment for vision testing, it is a scan of your retinas to determine whether the diabetes has affected the tiny blood vessels on it. The eye drops are to enlarge your pupils so that a good photograph can be taken - they aren't always required if your pupils enlarge sufficiently on their own when a bright light is shone into them, but if they are used then you will not be able to focus on anything close for quite a few hours afterwards. Take sunglasses just in case and don't drive.

It's fairly straightforward usually. They ask you to read off a standard optician's chart then (if necessary) put in the drops. They may sting for a couple of seconds. Then they wait for the drops to take effect - usually about 10-15 minutes. You will then have to sit facing a camera and pictures will be taken of each eye.

Sometimes the technician will explain what they see, otherwise you will get a letter after a few weeks telling you the results (it varies by area).
 
Good luck Graeme, I have my first retinal scan in a couple of weeks too. The letter I got is very clear that if you drive, they won't let you take the test.

My daughter's had these drops several times for an unrelated eye condition and they do last several hours, so assume the worst.
 
I am sure the last few eye tests I have been at my optician (Vision Express) there was a test to look at the back of my eyes and I remember bright lights etc, I am sure he said something about diabetes checks at the time however at the time I was living in blissful ignorance and didn't really take much in! Funny how things change! :D

I was thinking it would be along those lines but a lot more indepth. Good hint about the sunglasses though. I'm getting my wife to take me anyway.

Cheers
G
 
My letter just says ...therefore it would not be advisable to drive after your appointment 🙄
 
Graeme said:
I am sure the last few eye tests I have been at my optician (Vision Express) there was a test to look at the back of my eyes and I remember bright lights etc, I am sure he said something about diabetes checks at the time however at the time I was living in blissful ignorance and didn't really take much in! Funny how things change! :D

I was thinking it would be along those lines but a lot more indepth. Good hint about the sunglasses though. I'm getting my wife to take me anyway.

Cheers
G
Click to expand...

I had my first screening about a month ago (no change thankfully) then on Saturday I went to get an eye test for the first time in years (Specsavers). It was the exact same test only the optician showed me the results and what both he and the hospital were looking at.
 
Hi Graeme,

I had my first diabetes eye scan in October and found it quiet a good experience. The eye drops do sting slightly but only for a short while. I agree that you should not drive but as your wife is taking you there that will not be an issue. I found that my vision was blurry for a few hours, nothing major but it did make doing the crossword a bit difficult :D
Did find it interesting though that the person doing the test (who was also a Type 1) suggested that I should not go and have an opticians eye test for a few months as the diabetic medicine (Metformin) I have been prescribed could cause blurred vision so not to take a full eye test until my body had gotten used to the drug.
 
Hi Graeme

I tend to find that its not so much blurred vision but my eyes are very sensitive to sunlight for a few hours so I suggest you take a pair of sunglasses. 😎
 
Hi

My daughter has lots of different eye tests at different locations (optician, local hospital, specialist hospital) and we find different places use different drops and/or do different tests and this makes a difference to how her eyes react. Also some people are more sensitive to them than others. Sometimes they do sting, I'm afraid, often vision is blurred for some time after and nearly always (we find) light is a problem for some time:(

So guess what I'm trying to say is be prepared - sunglasses and/or cap with a brim even if ifs not a bright day. And be aware you might have problems the next day.

Good Luck, and hope it goes well.
 
Thought I'd reply to this as i am just back from my appointment.

I arrived early & got taken early, Wouldn't say the nurse was much of a talker, I got asked to read the smallest row of letters off the chart that I could see covering one eye, then the other.

The the machine where I rest my chin & stare at the dot of light where the take the photo's. All over in a few minutes. No eye drops, no blurred vision - i guess I was lucky.

I did ask when the results would be and they said 3 - 4 weeks depending on how busy they are.

Despite the rare sunshine today, I didn't need my shades, but didn't drive just to be on the safe side.

All in all it went okay and am not suffering any side effects. 😉
 
Graeme said:
Thought I'd reply to this as i am just back from my appointment.

I arrived early & got taken early, Wouldn't say the nurse was much of a talker, I got asked to read the smallest row of letters off the chart that I could see covering one eye, then the other.

The the machine where I rest my chin & stare at the dot of light where the take the photo's. All over in a few minutes. No eye drops, no blurred vision - i guess I was lucky.

I did ask when the results would be and they said 3 - 4 weeks depending on how busy they are.

Despite the rare sunshine today, I didn't need my shades, but didn't drive just to be on the safe side.

All in all it went okay and am not suffering any side effects. 😉
Click to expand...

great to hear it all went well Graeme! That's great news. And no drops too...a perfect eye examination all round!

Let us know how you get on when your results come through 🙂
 
Glad to hear it went well Graeme, and that you were spared the drops! 🙂 Hope the results are good when they come through!
 
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