Eye test

[HenryBennett]

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, I believe you should be getting annual invites to the Mobile Eye Screening service which goes around the country and does the eye-drop photography thing. Have you not had one of these appointments yet?

Thanks Mike. A couple of things. With separately run NHS’s in each country, does this apply throughout the UK, or just England? Second, having being diagnosed shortly before lockdown I’ve not had any expectation of such services.

A couple of answers above indicate that the Specsavers’ scan does the job, though I will take it up with my DN.

 

[grovesy]

It varies around the country,what your local service does. Here I have been to different venues over the years including the Health Authority offices and waiting area being the old office equipment store, which is not pleasant when you have to wait for eye drops to take effect. Also some of the venues have not been central, so need a lift to get there and back as can't drive following the test.

 

[trophywench]

The difference between the retinopathy service and Specsavers @HenryBennett is that the photos from the proper NHS Service are each looked at by two different Opthalmologists in every case before the results are reported to anyone else in the NHS or the patient.

Diabetic retinopathy starts with absolutely minute bleeds occurring in the weeniest blood vessels at the back of the eye - neither of which can be clearly seen without dilation of the pupils.

 

[Madeline]

Specsavers definitely didn’t use any dilation drops the other week when I went. OTOH it’s worth it just to see the scans, they’re fascinating, you can see the hole where the optic nerve goes.

 

[trophywench]

I don't deny that Madeline - years ago the technicians used to show us the pics and they are fascinating - but they don't do that now more's the pity - come on, they're MINE! I've always loved seeing Xrays and the doc showing them and explaining what it is you're both looking at, whether it's a broken leg or a collapsed lung. Glorious technicolour eye interiors are brill!

 

[grovesy]

I don't deny that Madeline - years ago the technicians used to show us the pics and they are fascinating - but they don't do that now more's the pity - come on, they're MINE! I've always loved seeing Xrays and the doc showing them and explaining what it is you're both looking at, whether it's a broken leg or a collapsed lung. Glorious technicolour eye interiors are brill!

I suspect as they are technicians and not ophthalmologist's they are not allowed.

 

[HenryBennett]

Thanks @trophywench

 

[HenryBennett]

I've always loved seeing Xrays

When I had the stents inserted I was able to watch the big screen with much the same view as the cardiologist. But for the emergency angioplasty I’d had morphine in the ambulance and it was all a bit hazy. I had a couple more stents a week later and likewise could watch on the screen and afterwards the cardiologist took me through exactly what he’d done, just like the “good old days” when I broke my wrist.

 

[Madeline]

I don't deny that Madeline - years ago the technicians used to show us the pics and they are fascinating - but they don't do that now more's the pity - come on, they're MINE! I've always loved seeing Xrays and the doc showing them and explaining what it is you're both looking at, whether it's a broken leg or a collapsed lung. Glorious technicolour eye interiors are brill!

Gosh yes, I’m going to be a sad little person and admit that watching my bronchoscopy was one of the most fascinating things I’ve ever seen. Love stuff like that!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thanks Mike. A couple of things. With separately run NHS’s in each country, does this apply throughout the UK, or just England? Second, having being diagnosed shortly before lockdown I’ve not had any expectation of such services.

A couple of answers above indicate that the Specsavers’ scan does the job, though I will take it up with my DN.

This is from NHS UK

Diabetic eye screening

Find out who should have diabetic eye screening, why it's done and what happens, and when you’ll get your results.

www.nhs.uk

The screening seems to be paused in Northern Ireland at the mo

Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (also known as Diabetic Retinopathy Screening) | HSC Public Health Agency

Diabetes is a common condition that affects approximately 4.7% of the population.

www.publichealth.hscni.net

 

[Junglegirl]

So I got a call from the hospital this week to fit me in for my annual eye check (Not retinal screening) Got there, no one knew where the clinic was being held due to social distancing, finally found it after two false starts (mis-directed) very frayed staff, who did the scans, eye test, etc etc .....the guy who did the pressure test told me it was high and gave me the figures ....I re-assured him that the figures were not in fact high for me, apparently I am one of those people that can have very high eye pressure and have no consequences, my consultant continuously marks my file NO GLUCOMA ....just high pressures.
I asked if I would be seeing a consultant .....No, you will either be called or receive a letter after these results have been reviewed ....I asked if it would be my normal consultant ...unknown....so now I expect I will receive a panic phone call saying my pressures need further investigation etc etc .....and I will once again have to go through the whole explanation ......why do they never read their own files! Grrrrrrrrrrr .....I didn’t have any drops put in.

Just as a side bar, I take Maritime Pine Bark for my eye health after reading good things about it and being recommended to it by several people. I had had a small bleed in my eye. Now there is no sign of that and my consultant at the time asked for details of the pine bark as he was so impressed with the good changes I had.....worked for me, but maybe not for everyone.

 

[HenryBennett]

Just as a side bar, I take Maritime Pine Bark for my eye health after reading good things about it and being recommended to it by several people. I had had a small bleed in my eye. Now there is no sign of that and my consultant at the time asked for details of the pine bark as he was so impressed with the good changes I had.....worked for me, but maybe not for everyone.

That’s interesting. Thanks.