Eye Screening

[Northerner]

I usually try to talk to people 🙂 The seats you have to sit in are often facing a blank wall and the time passes very slowly when you have no distractions!

 

[grovesy]

For the last few years mine has been in the next towns Lloyd's Chemist. Has been in health authority offices , some business park office, a ex GP surgery. The last one was poorly sign posted and a local resident said people were always having problems finding.
Although I need a lift to the Lloyd's Chemist it is the most hospitable one. The offices one year had to wait in a room that was full of old office equipment.

 

[Nick Jones]

How long before initial diagnosis and getting appointments?

 

[Stitch147]

I had my eye screening about 1 month after being diagnosed.

 

[Cowboy Bob]

I had my initial appointment set for 3 weeks after diagnosis. Had to re-arrange it to yesterday though as it was the date of the office Xmas party 🙂

 

[Rosiecarmel]

I got diagnosed in July and only got my appointment yesterday

 

[Lynn Davies]

Got my first appointment for 5th February

 

[Robin]

I think it depends on how your GP arranges testing.Some use local opticians, which presumably can be fitted in at any time, ours uses the hospital's mobile screening unit, so you have to wait until it comes round, which is about twice a year. I had to wait several months, I seem to remember, and then got missed off the list and had to shout!

 

[Northerner]

I think it depends on how your GP arranges testing.Some use local opticians, which presumably can be fitted in at any time, ours uses the hospital's mobile screening unit, so you have to wait until it comes round, which is about twice a year. I had to wait several months, I seem to remember, and then got missed off the list and had to shout!

I used to use the mobile unit and remember once I would have had to wait months for it to visit my surgery. However, there was an appointment at a local hospital within a couple of weeks which I didn't mind going to, so went along to that!. Would love to be back with the mobile unit now, but have been told I will always have to go to the main eye hospital because of a couple of small problems - pain in the neck getting there and back!

 

[pat.y]

I hate those eye drops. I feel like he's put acid in my eyes and then I can't see properly for hours afterwards.

 

[KookyCat]

How long before initial diagnosis and getting appointments?

2 weeks for me, but I was told I was added as a priority due to almost complete loss of vision in one eye (it came back thankfully), oh and I couldn't move my foot which gave me extra points on the urgency scale, that came back too 🙂

 

[Matt Cycle]

When I lived in Sheffield it was checked at the hospital. I first had it done about 27 years ago although I think at that time there wasn't a regular assessment programme as there is now as I can't remember it being done every year.

It depends now on how it's run by your local health authority. In my area it's done through local opticians (they send a list through with all the approved ones) who have the expensive camera. My optician usually talks through what's on the photo - any issues or not. The images are automatically sent to the health authority who then assess them. Results back by letter within a week or so. It's all fairly slick.

 

[grovesy]

When i was first diagnosed 12 years ago you went to an optician, but a few years in and they started organising a special service.

 

[Cowboy Bob]

Even before I was diagnosed I've always have mine done at my optician (with the expensive camera) because it's free and why not? But when I told my Dr she insisted I had it done at the hospital too, they wouldn't accept the optician's photos

 

[Lynn Davies]

Same with me Bob. Have to trail to the hospital for my test.🙄

 

[Stitch147]

My local clinic does the diabetes eye screening, almost opposite my Dr surgery and about a 15 minute walk to my house.

 

[trophywench]

With Coventry CCG there are now a number of local opticians to whom you can be referred for certain eye problems - I take it these are the ones with the appropriate qualifications, much as it was when we were kids. The actual chap who did my sister's eye operations when she was little worked also as an ophthalmic/dispensing optician at the local branch of the small chain C. Davis Keeler - hence the whole family went to Keeler's - but only she was allowed to see Mr Siggins. We all saw a 'normal' one.

When we had a specific eye hospital in Coventry city centre - we were all sent there for retinopathy exams, but it was 'slit-lamp' then. When they introduced the photography, this has always been done by a mobile service at our GPs surgery - however since their base is actually downstairs from the Diabetes Centre at Rugby St Cross - so when I discovered they happily nipped upstairs and did the photos there too - I asked to swap and LO! it was done, and I asked to be removed from the GPs register for it.

It's further to go but just much more pleasant to visit.

I had my eye test and some glasses from Asda last year. He also took retinal photos and merrily told me there was no sign of retinopathy! I told him he was wrong. I also asked him how my cataracts were doing and he said What cataracts. Frankly dear reader - I've now gone back to Boots as soon as I had trouble with my eyes - same opticians and staff as when it was D&A. I TRUST them and it's they who referred me (and it is my cataracts, they ones they could see 3 years previously and told me about) and I shall go back to them for my glasses when my eyes have been sorted.

I no longer care that their frames and lenses usually are dearer. That's only money - and my sight is my sight ! Beyond price.

 

[Mark Parrott]

I'm expecting to have an eye screening soon. No idea if they'll do it at our docs or local hospital.

 

[pat.y]

I go to the optician.

 

[Lynn Davies]

How odd that you get the choice of venue for the eye test. I was categorically told I have to attend the hospital!