Eye Screening and Driving

[happydog]

I have to go for my first eye screening in a couple of weeks. The hospital that I have to attend is not easily reached by public transport. It said in the letter that I was sent that I will not be able to drive because they will put drops in my eyes. Is this true? It will cost me ?40 - ?50 to get there and back by taxi. I know some of you will have had this done. I would be really grateful if you could share your experience. I am quite apprehensive, but I know I have to go. I would also like to wish all of my fellow people on this forum a Happy and Healthier New Year. I could not have managed my diabetes as well without you, thank you. 🙂

 

[robofski]

They do put drops in your eyes to dilate your pupils, and for a time after you can have blurred vision and be sensitive to light. I'm lucky that I get mine done quite local so it's easy for me to use the bus, and if I really wanted to could walk! They will refuse to do it if you say you have driven.

 

[Northerner]

Personally, I would not want to be anywhere near a road that someone might be driving on having had the drops in their eyes - not for several hours. When I have had them I have had trouble walking, never mind driving, and especially if it is bright outside. So I would try and get someone to take you or ask if there is a possibility of getting the photos done more locally, either using a mobile unit (which they have in my area, visiting surgeries), or at a local opticians (many of them have the equipment these days.

Good luck, hope you can sort something out - and Happy New Year! 🙂

 

[Homedaze]

I usually have the eye screening done at the specified clinic but I do know that our local optician does the eye screening for ?15.

It takes my eyes several hours to return to normal after the screening. Some clinics offer drops that speed up the recovery period but I do not know the efficacy of this procedure.

 

[trophywench]

I think you best ring them too, it's up to them to provide somewhere you can get to on public transport and not have it where you can't.

 

[Tina63]

We too have a local mobile unit which visits our GP surgery once a year. Maybe worth phoning your surgery to see if this is available in your area. Otherwise do you have a good friend or relative would could take you? I certainly would for any of my friends.

 

[happydog]

Thank you all for your replies. Thank goodness I asked. It sounds rather off putting but I know I know I have to get it done. How long do you have to wait for the results? Apparently that is the closest hospital and although there is a specialist eye unit at one literally around the corner from me, they don't do it there. I'll get a taxi. You are all great and always helpful. I don't know anyone else with diabetes so I have to depend on you thank you. 🙂

 

[Northerner]

Thank you all for your replies. Thank goodness I asked. It sounds rather off putting but I know I know I have to get it done. How long do you have to wait for the results? Apparently that is the closest hospital and although there is a specialist eye unit at one literally around the corner from me, they don't do it there. I'll get a taxi. You are all great and always helpful. I don't know anyone else with diabetes so I have to depend on you thank you. 🙂

The process itself is pretty straightforward and nothing to worry about. They will put the drops in and it might sting for a couple of seconds, then you have to wait a little while for them to take effect. Then, you sit with your chin on a little stand looking into the camera - a couple of bright flashes per eye and that should be that! 🙂

When you get the results back varies from place to place I think. I only get a letter back if they find something wrong, although I can go to my GPs to find out after a couple of weeks. Other people find out more quickly.

I would call and find out if you can go to a local optician though, it's an expensive day for you otherwise!

Good luck! Let us know how it goes 🙂

 

[MaryPlain]

I usually get my results immediately.

Personally I find the drops rather painful so the last time, having discovered from a fellow poster on this site that there are weaker drops, I asked about this. The optician agreed to try without the drops and was able to take the photos without them.

I think they would usually rather not do this, as it means it will take a lot longer if they aren't able to get the photos and then have to put the drops in and wait for them to work.

I was very pleased that it worked on this occasion as I have found the after effects of the drops last much longer than I was led to believe.

As others have said, there is no way that you would be able to drive safely after having the drops - and there's not a lot else you can usefully do for a few hours afterwards either. I managed a bit of TV last time but even that had to be in a darkened room.

 

[spiritfree]

Have you phoned the hospital and explained the situation, and ask if they could provide transport. When I was attending a hospital out of myarea they provided transport and it was free.

 

[Vicsetter]

I have been screened both by my hospital and by an optician and on all occasions they have managed to get the photos without the use of drops. They may not be necessary. Wear dark glasses before the test, ask them to try without the drops and if they can't or will not do it, re-arrange the appointment for a time when maybe you can make other arrangements.

 

[happydog]

Thank you to everyone who has taken the trouble to reply, I really appreciate it.
I phoned them when I got the appointment and had to leave a message. After a couple of days a lady phoned back and said that was all they could offer, but if I did not want to come that was up to me. I asked about having it done "privately" and she said that it was my choice, but I would appear on their records as having refused. As I have already annoyed them because I said that I wanted to have a go at using diet and exercise to control my diabetes rather than go straight onto medication I think I should comply on this occasion. I am going to ask a friend today if she could maybe collect me after the test. I am glad to know what it entails. Thanks again 🙂

 

[SimplesL]

I had my Retinopathy test on 7th Dec & letter with the result arrived about 3 weeks later.

I'm lucky in that the tests in this area are generally held in a local optician. You get a list of those who are linked electronically to the local eye hospital & you pick one that's local to you, make your appt with a reference number on the letter from the eye hospital remindingyou It's time for your test.

Optician I use always uses drops, the only issue I had this year is they are a bit sensitive to light. But she is near enough for me to walk so no driving issues thankfully.

In this area a lot of the Specsavers opticians do the test, I'm going next weekend to have a normal eye test & they do take a digital photo without using drops & stress it is not a full Retinopathy test as no drops involved. Quite intereasting that some of you do not have drops. If I remember next year I'll ask the optician I prefer to go to as she is also an eye surgeon & knows her stuff. She normally gives me a bit of a clue if all looks OK, as she also grades the results before she clicks the button & they go to the hospital for them to be properly checked on the "big screen".

 

[LeeLee]

I do like the Oxford system - I used to live there and never had a problem. In Hertfordshire, whilst the opticians will do retinal screening (for a fee), the ophthalmology service won't accept the results! I now live in Essex - no idea how they organise screening.

Wherever you end up going, take sunglasses even if the sky is a murky grey colour. Driving is a complete no-no, downright dangerous. If you have no option about where to go for screening, ask about hospital transport.

 

[trophywench]

I agree wholeheartedly re not driving, I was at a meeting where 99% were diabetic and a lady commented , well I know you're not supposed to, but well, everybody does, don't they? and there was this pregnant silence - we all looked gobsmacked - and I just HAD to say, NO actually - EVERYBODY most certainly does NOT !

Chairman moved swiftly on, and I did have the grace to go red, but WHAT a silly cow. Don't care how many times she wraps her car round a lamp-post as long as she don't involve anyone else in the mayhem ..... not safe to be let out in the community, some people ......