Retinal scanning

[Cliff]

Since diagnosis in October last year, the referral system has kicked in and I've had an education course, nursey foot checks and various blood tests. I also have an appointment in the near future with the specialist podiatry service. However I've not heard anything about my dietician referral (not too worried about that) or my referral for retinal scanning. It's this last one that I'm concerned about given the possibility that I was running quite high levels pre-diagnosis and my BP is still quite high.

Any idea about how long the system takes to kick in? Does this vary from area to area?

 

[Steff]

Hi Cliff with me I had my first retinal screening in the april i was diagnosed in feb last year and i have just had my second screening yesterday.I guess as most things to do with diabetes it depends on area.In fact if i remember correctly the first ever time i saw the nurse she said i would have a appointment through within the month and i did.

 

[Peter C]

Since diagnosis in October last year, the referral system has kicked in and I've had an education course, nursey foot checks and various blood tests. I also have an appointment in the near future with the specialist podiatry service. However I've not heard anything about my dietician referral (not too worried about that) or my referral for retinal scanning. It's this last one that I'm concerned about given the possibility that I was running quite high levels pre-diagnosis and my BP is still quite high.

Any idea about how long the system takes to kick in? Does this vary from area to area?

Retinal scanning with the photographs is not compulsory for T2s. All we are guaranteed is an annual retinopathy check with drops in. That mostly means a Doc or Opthalmologist looking in your eyes with an opthalmascope.
A knowledgeable Opthalmologist with a live exam like that is probably better but the photos are cheaper. Can be done by a technician and an opthalmologist can review dozens at a later sitting.
Depends on your pct.

 

[sofaraway]

Gp surgerys that I have been with in the past have a mobile service that visits once a year for a couple of weeks and you get an appointment then. Yours might be like that and you have to wait until they come round again.
My currect surgery currently sends everyone to a permenent centre in the borough so would probably not have to wait too long for an appointment if newly diagnosed here.
Good idea to ask and find out what happens.

 

[Andy HB]

I've just arranged one through the GP (but I had to push a little to get it - I don't think that it was going to happen automatically!).

Mine is via a mobile centre. Unfortunately, it's going to be a bit of a trek for me to get there, but atleast I've got it booked now!

My eyesight has definitely been variable since diagnosis, but has settled down now (unfortunately it looks like I'm going to need new glasses - I find that I have to squint a lot to read small text!).

Andy

 

[falcon123]

If you go for regular eye tests your optician can take a look for you. The better ones can even take photographs and let you have copies on CD to take away - about ?12 extra.

 

[thedame]

Do you have to wait to be referred then? DSN from my surgery advised me to make an appointment with an optician of my choice - the testing is free if you are diabetic. I guess I am lucky having a very good place just down the road - they do retinal screening with a camera but display the result live on a monitor and discuss them with you - I think they end pics off to a central place for our health authority and now I get a reminder if this central place doesn't get results for me after a year since the last time. However the optician sends me reminders just like they would for a non diabetic registered for eye checks.

My visiting Diabetes specialist used to dot he puffer test at my annual check up in the GP surgery but doesn't so it now the optician does a more thorough check. The checkup now consists of the standard reading of the chart and, as I wear glasses, we do the red green light thing to look for changes to the prescription. Then there is the pressure test where they puff into into each eye to measure resistance and then it is into the cinema for the look at the back of they eyes to spot any damage and a field of vision test - the highlight of the session where you look for aliens in a white sky-well that is what I call it! It is all rather jolly!

My levels were in the 19s when first diagnosed and my vision had become blurry when I read or wrote - this was the swelling caused by the high sugars but it all improved once my levels came down with diet and Metformin - the optician should not prescribe new glasses until the level stabilize as the prescription might change again. I suffered no lasting damage despite high levels for some time before diagnosis so please try to be optimistic🙂