Ok getting suspicious

[shirl]

I am now beginning to get suspicious about the retinopathy results
I have been talking to my sister and she had the same letter only a few weeks ago, and lo and behold my friend has had retinopathy letter this morning!! We all had the test done at Boots opticians, now that either means that they take better, clearer photos, OR there is something wrong with their equipment! I am toying with the idea of calling into Boots opticians tomorrow to see if they can throw some light so to speak on this. Am right to be suspicious?

Shirl

 

[Vicsetter]

After my first hospital scan I got the std 'background signs of retinopathy, nothing to worry about' , Vision Express said ' I can't see anything wrong, the next hospital scan said all clear. So I suspect that slight signs are very subjective and maybe depend on the photo at the time and the optician/doctor assessing them. I regard the test as being there to discovery serious complications at an early stage so without knowing what Boots had to say I wouldn't bother.
They probably have standard letters and if you are lucky, just insert your name.

 

[randomange]

I had a similar issue recently. I get a letter telling me I have to go get my eyes checked, go to the opticians, then get a letter telling me I have diabetic maculopathy, get referred to the hospital, where I get my eyes photographed *again*, and get told that it's the same spot I've had for the past three years, and it hasn't changed and they're not worried, they're just going to keep an eye on it.

This same thing has happened the past few times I've had my eyes checked, so I complained and asked why, and the hospital eye person said it's because of how it's assessed in the opticians vs the clinic - at the opticians they basically have boxes which are all yes/no, and if they see any sign of retinopathy at all, they will tick yes and you get a letter. At the clinic, they're not quite so black and white, and will assess based on whether it requires treatment/monitoring, or has gotten worse since the last photo.

So I think it's mainly a sign of optician's being extra extra cautious!

 

[Caroline]

If you are worried go and see them. Last time I was at the opticians for a general eye test I was told back ground retinopathy is nothing to worry about and it is just how the eyes are on that day. It can come and go. If you are unhappy withthe results get a second opinion.

 

[Copepod]

I am now beginning to get suspicious about the retinopathy results
I have been talking to my sister and she had the same letter only a few weeks ago, and lo and behold my friend has had retinopathy letter this morning!! We all had the test done at Boots opticians, now that either means that they take better, clearer photos, OR there is something wrong with their equipment! I am toying with the idea of calling into Boots opticians tomorrow to see if they can throw some light so to speak on this. Am right to be suspicious?

Shirl

There is a third possibility - the goalposts for diagnosing retinopathy and / or referring people who have been screened for further investigation have changed ie been tighened up, thus bringing more people within the diagnosis.

 

[grufflybear]

Do different health areas have different approaches - I ask because I was surprised to realise that some of you just go to an optician - having had some pretty lousy spectacles made over the years by high street opticians I wouldn't have even thought to trust them to do the retinopathy examination. Mine is done through an NHS screening program at a clinic so the image is always assessed by the clinic, not just the high street optician. Is the use of Boots just your own choice or is it the way the screening program operates in your health authority ?

 

[shirl]

Do different health areas have different approaches - I ask because I was surprised to realise that some of you just go to an optician - having had some pretty lousy spectacles made over the years by high street opticians I wouldn't have even thought to trust them to do the retinopathy examination. Mine is done through an NHS screening program at a clinic so the image is always assessed by the clinic, not just the high street optician. Is the use of Boots just your own choice or is it the way the screening program operates in your health authority ?

I have always used Dolland and Aitchison until Boots bought them out last year, all my Diabetic care is provided by my doctors surgery, so no choice there! I assume that if things alter and get worse I will be referred to hospital eventually!

Shirl

 

[kojack]

In this area you can either have the test at a nominated optician or at the diabetes clinic.
The images from the optician are sent for analysis to the diabetic retinopathy unit who advise you of the results.
Sadly, the local pct are planning on outsourcing retinopathy testing to a private company. Objections were being considered at the high court last month, but as yet I have had no feedback